Figurative Language

Figurative Language, and meanings

Figurative Language is when a word or phrase doesn’t mean exactly what it says.

Ex: If I don’t do my homework; my mom is going to skin me alive.

(Your mom will not LITERALLY skin you alive, she will probably yell at you, and take away your ipod.)

What is it?

Literal Language means EXACTLY what it says.

Ex: Trespassers will be shot on sight.

This literally means you will be shot as soon as someone

sees you.

Literal Language

Simile Metaphor Personification Hyperbole Idiom

Types of Figurative Language

A Simile compares two things that are not alike using the words “like” or “as.”

My friend’s daughter is as big as a whale.

You can tell this is figurative, because people can’t really get 80 feet long.

Simile

A metaphor compares two things that are alike, but it doesn’t use the words “like” or “as.”

Your mind is a vault… that nobody can figure the combination to.

Metaphor

Personification gives human qualities to something that isn’t human.

The sheep calculated the odds, and plotted it’s revenge.

Personification

A Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration. A simile or metaphor can’t be a Hyperbole.

I’m so hungry, I could eat an entire bear.

Hyperbole

An idiom is a phrase, or saying, that is NOTHING like what it literally says.

EX: A rolling stone gathers no moss. Literally: a stone that rolls around all the

time doesn’t get all mossy. Figuratively: It is better to keep active, and

moving… you’ll stay younger.

Idiom