Non-literal

Describing language or meaning that departs from the straightforward, factual, or exact interpretation of words or phrases. It involves figurative language, indirect expressions, and symbolism, relying on implied meanings, connotations, and associations rather than a strict adherence to the literal definition. non-literal communication often seeks to enhance expressiveness, evoke emotions, and create deeper layers of understanding by using figures of speech like metaphors, similes, personification, and hyperbole. This contrasts with literal language, which is direct, explicit, and concerned primarily with the denotative meaning of words. non-literal interpretations require an understanding of context, tone, and the intended audience to be correctly understood and appreciated.

Non-literal meaning with examples

• The poet used non-literal language to describe the sunrise, comparing it to a "fiery kiss" that awakened the world. The metaphor transcended a simple description of the sun's movement, evoking feelings of warmth and renewal. Without understanding the figurative comparison, the poem’s beauty would be lost. Other non-literal methods were employed to enrich the sensory experience.
• During the play, the actor's dramatic pause after his line was a non-literal expression of unspoken emotions. The silence, rich with implication, conveyed his character's internal turmoil far better than any literal explanation. By withholding the expected response, he created suspense and invited the audience to consider the character’s internal state and intentions that he does not convey literally.
• When the politician claimed, "I could eat a horse," his statement was understood as non-literal, meaning he was extremely hungry, not that he intended to consume equine meat. The hyperbole emphasized the intensity of his appetite. If interpreted literally, it would be absurd, highlighting the importance of understanding context for the non-literal phrases.
• The artist's abstract painting employed non-literal forms and colors to convey themes of loss and resilience. No specific objects were represented, but the arrangement of shapes and hues suggested emotional states. Understanding its non-literal meaning depends on the viewer's personal interpretation, which is the aim of an artistic non-literal representation.
• The instructions given were non-literal as the software used terms such as 'the server is feeling a little off', which meant the computer had crashed or wasn't working correctly. This non-literal description required an understanding of common IT jargon and implicit meaning, instead of explaining this literally, which would be a technical explanation.