How is figurative meaning different from literal meaning?

Literal meaning is the exact, dictionary meaning of the words, what is actually happening. Figurative meaning is a non-literal meaning that suggests a feeling, image, or idea, such as using a comparison or exaggeration.

Why is figurative meaning important in reading?

Figurative meaning helps readers understand characters' feelings, the mood of a scene, and deeper themes in a story or poem. If a child reads only the literal meaning, they may miss much of the emotion and message the writer is trying to share.

How can I help my child figure out figurative meaning?

You can ask your child, "Does this sentence make sense if we take it literally?" If not, talk about what the writer might really mean, using clues from the rest of the sentence or paragraph. It also helps to ask, "What picture do these words put in your mind?"

Is figurative meaning only used in poetry?

No. Figurative meaning appears in poetry, stories, plays, speeches, and everyday conversation. Poetry often uses it more densely, but it is a common part of language across many types of writing.

What Is Figurative Meaning? Definition and Examples

Figurative meaning explained for kids

Figurative meaning is when words do not mean exactly what they say. Instead, they paint a picture in your mind. If someone says, "I have a mountain of homework," they do not really have a mountain. They just mean they have a lot of homework!

Figurative meaning examples

Example 1 (younger grades):

Sentence: "My backpack weighs a ton."

Literal meaning: The backpack actually weighs 2,000 pounds. This is clearly not true.

Figurative meaning: The speaker is using exaggeration to show that the backpack feels very heavy. The figurative meaning is "my backpack is really heavy," not that it weighs an actual ton.

Example 2 (upper grades):

Sentence: "Time is a thief that steals our moments."

Literal meaning: Time is a person who breaks in and takes things. That is not true, because time is not a person and cannot steal.

Figurative meaning: The writer is comparing time to a thief to show that time passes quickly and takes away chances and experiences. The figurative meaning is that life moves on and we lose moments we cannot get back.

How figurative meaning fits into reading and writing

Figurative meaning is a key part of figurative language, which includes tools like similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration). These tools help writers create strong images and emotions in a reader's mind.

In elementary school, your child first meets figurative meaning in simple comparisons, such as "as busy as a bee" or "the sun smiled." As reading gets more complex, figurative meaning shows up in poetry, stories, speeches, and even everyday conversations.

By middle and high school, students are expected to explain how figurative meaning shapes tone (the writer's attitude), mood (the feeling of the piece), and theme (the big idea or message). They also learn to use figurative meaning in their own writing to make it more vivid and memorable.

Common mistakes with figurative meaning

Mistake 1: Thinking every sentence must be taken literally.
When a sentence sounds impossible or strange if taken literally, it may have a figurative meaning that suggests a feeling or idea instead.
Mistake 2: Mixing up literal and figurative meanings in answers.
A child might explain "He has a heart of stone" as a medical problem. The figurative meaning is that he is cold or unkind, not that his heart is actually stone.
Mistake 3: Assuming figurative meaning is "anything you want it to be."
Figurative meaning must still fit the clues in the text and the situation. It is creative, but it is not random.

Where kids see figurative meaning in daily life

Figurative meaning shows up in songs, jokes, cartoons, and everyday speech. Phrases like "I am glued to this game," "that test was a breeze," or "my phone is my lifeline" are all examples. Noticing these helps your child see that figurative meaning is part of normal conversation, not just schoolwork.

Explore reading and language arts practice on Learning Hub

Create a free account to explore free K-12 reading and language arts practice with your child on Learning Hub.

What is figurative meaning?