Figurative language facts for kids

Figurative language is a fun way that writers use words to create a special meaning or feeling. Instead of saying things exactly as they are, they compare them to something else or use words in a way that isn't their usual, everyday meaning. It's like adding a secret code to words!

Think about the sentence, "When she heard the news, she was over the moon and jumped for joy." This doesn't mean she was actually floating above the Moon or literally jumping so high she touched the sky. It means she was incredibly happy! That's figurative language at work.

What is Figurative Language?

Figurative language helps make writing more interesting and colorful. It lets a writer describe something in a new and exciting way, often by using comparisons or by giving human qualities to non-human things.

Literal vs. Figurative Meaning

To understand figurative language, it's helpful to know the difference between literal and figurative meanings.

Literal Meaning

The literal meaning of words is their exact, dictionary definition. It's what the words mean at face value, without any hidden or special meaning. For example, if you say, "The cat sat on the mat," you mean exactly that: a cat was sitting on a mat. There's no secret message or comparison.

Figurative Meaning

The figurative meaning is when words or phrases are used in a way that goes beyond their normal, literal meaning. The words don't mean exactly what they say. Instead, they "imply" or suggest a different, deeper meaning that makes sense in the context. It's like using a picture to describe something instead of just words.

Why Use Figurative Language?

Writers use figurative language for many reasons:

• To make their writing more vivid and imaginative.
• To help readers picture things more clearly.
• To add emotion or emphasis to a description.
• To make reading more enjoyable and engaging.

Types of Figurative Language

There are many different types of figurative language. Here are a few common ones you might already know:

Simile

A simile compares two different things using the words "like" or "as."

• Example: "Her smile was as bright as the sun." (Compares a smile to the sun.)
• Example: "He fought like a lion." (Compares how he fought to a lion's bravery.)

Metaphor

A metaphor also compares two different things, but it says that one thing is another. It doesn't use "like" or "as."

• Example: "The classroom was a zoo." (Means the classroom was very noisy and chaotic.)
• Example: "Her tears were a river." (Means she cried a lot.)

Personification

Personification gives human qualities or actions to objects or animals.

• Example: "The wind whispered through the trees." (Wind can't whisper like a person.)
• Example: "The old house groaned in the storm." (Houses don't groan.)

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect. It's not meant to be taken literally.

• Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" (You're very hungry, but won't actually eat a horse.)
• Example: "I've told you a million times!" (You've told them many times, not exactly a million.)

Idiom

An idiom is a phrase where the meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. You have to know what the whole phrase means.

• Example: "It's raining cats and dogs." (Means it's raining very heavily.)
• Example: "He spilled the beans." (Means he revealed a secret.)

Figurative language makes reading and writing much more interesting and creative. It's a powerful tool for any writer!

Images for kids

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  A robot thinking about language.