What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
figurative
Example
Her words were a figurative expression of her love for him. [figurative: adjective]
Example
The painting was a figurative representation of the artist's inner turmoil. [figurative: adjective]
representative
Example
The representative from our district spoke at the town hall meeting. [representative: noun]
Example
The red rose is often used as a representative symbol of love. [representative: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Representative is more commonly used than figurative in everyday language. Representative is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while figurative is less common and is typically used in creative writing or literary analysis.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between figurative and representative?
While figurative is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, representative is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
