Figurative language is language that one must figure out. The term “figurative” is an antonym of “literal.” In literal language the words convey meaning exactly as defined, whereas in figurative language there is room for interpretation. An effort is required on the part of the interpreter to determine the speaker or writer’s intended meaning. The listener or reader must “figure” out what is meant. This page will discuss common figures of speech, provide examples, and offer resources to help you learn, review, or teach figurative language. It is important to note that, as an educator, I make a distinction between figurative language and poetic devices. Though the skills are related, I find that it is easier to understand these concepts in separate units. This page focuses exclusively on figurative language techniques.