Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures; as when saying that someone who eats more than they should is a pig or like a pig.

(manner) In a figurative manner. / Used to indicate that what follows is to be taken as a figure of speech, not literally.

The property of being figurative.

Calculation. / Structure, design, or arrangement; figure. / Representation.

present participle of figure

(of a natural material) Having a pattern considered attractive appearing on a section. / Adorned with a figure or figures.

simple past tense and past participle of figure

To shape; to give a figure.

Forming a figure. / (music) Florid.

(chiefly US) To calculate, to solve a mathematical problem. / (chiefly US) To come to understand. / To think, to assume, to suppose, to reckon. / (chiefly US, intransitive) To be reasonable.