figure of speech

noun
UK: /ˈfɪɡər əv spiːtʃ/
US: /ˈfɪɡjər əv spiːtʃ/

  1. An expression that uses words in a non-literal or imaginative way to create a vivid image or effect.

    1. Simile is a common figure of speech in poems.
    2. The politician's speech was full of figures of speech, making it engaging but also somewhat unclear.

  2. A word or phrase used in a way that is different from its usual meaning in order to create a particular mental image or effect.

    1. Metaphor is a powerful figure of speech.
    2. Understanding the nuances of each figure of speech enriches one's appreciation of literature and rhetoric.

Synonyms

trope expression image

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "figure of speech" in English means: An expression that uses words in a non-literal or imaginative way to create a vivid image or effect., A word or phrase used in a way that is different from its usual meaning in order to create a particular mental image or effect..

The phonetic transcription of "figure of speech" is /ˈfɪɡər əv spiːtʃ/ in British English and /ˈfɪɡjər əv spiːtʃ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "figure of speech": trope, expression, image.

Example usage of "figure of speech": "Simile is a common figure of speech in poems.". More examples on the page.