Allegorical — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌa-lə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl/ al·le·gor·i·cal

Meaning & Definition of Allegorical

Allegorical (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of allegory
  2. having hidden spiritual meaning that transcends the literal sense of a sacred text

Allegorical (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in symbolic, emblematic

    similar: Aesopian, emblematic, symbolic, extended, figural, figurative, metaphoric, tropical, tropological, catachrestic, sylleptic, euphemistic, nonliteral, veritable
    opposite: nonfigurative, nonmetaphorical, literal, nonsymbolic

  2. as in mythological

    similar: mythological, fanciful, imaginary, imagined, invented, made-up, make-believe, pretend, unreal, semilegendary, chimerical, fabricated, fantastic, fictional, fictitious, famed, romanticized, storied, fabled, fabulous, legendary, mythical
    opposite: actual, existent, real, real-world, historical, factual, true, attested, authenticated, confirmed, established, proven, substantiated, validated, verified, authentic, bona fide, genuine, real-life

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Allegorical

The most common words with a similar meaning to Allegorical:

Aesopian, emblematic, symbolic, extended, figural, figurative, metaphoric, tropical, tropological, catachrestic, sylleptic, euphemistic, nonliteral, veritable, mythological, fanciful, imaginary, imagined, invented, made-up, make-believe, pretend, unreal, semilegendary, chimerical, fabricated, fantastic, fictional, fictitious, famed, romanticized, storied, fabled, fabulous, legendary, mythical

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Allegorical

Words with the opposite meaning of Allegorical:

nonfigurative, nonmetaphorical, literal, nonsymbolic, actual, existent, real, real-world, historical, factual, true, attested, authenticated, confirmed, established, proven, substantiated, validated, verified, authentic, bona fide, genuine, real-life

Word Forms of Allegorical

Derived words: allegorically (adverb), allegoricalness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Allegorical

allegoric "allegorical" (borrowed from Late Latin allēgoricus, borrowed from Greek allēgorikós, from allēgoría allegory + -ikos -ic:1) + -al:1

First known use: 1528

Frequently Asked Questions about Allegorical

What does "Allegorical" mean?

"Allegorical" means of, relating to, or having the characteristics of allegory. As an adjective, it is defined as: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of allegory. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Allegorical"?

Other words for "Allegorical" include Aesopian, emblematic, symbolic, extended, figural, figurative, metaphoric and tropical. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Allegorical" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Allegorical"?

There are 36 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Allegorical". Common alternatives include Aesopian, emblematic, symbolic, extended, figural, figurative, metaphoric, tropical, tropological and catachrestic.

What is the opposite of "Allegorical"?

Antonyms of "Allegorical" include nonfigurative, nonmetaphorical, literal, nonsymbolic, actual, existent, real and real-world.

Is "Allegorical" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Allegorical" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Allegorical"?

"Allegorical" is pronounced /ˌa-lə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl/ and divided into syllables as al·le·gor·i·cal.

What is the origin of the word "Allegorical"?

"Allegorical" comes from allegoric "allegorical" (borrowed from Late Latin allēgoricus, borrowed from Greek allēgorikós, from allēgoría allegory + -ikos -ic:1) + -al:1. First known use: 1528.

What is another word for "Allegorical" meaning "as in symbolic, emblematic"?

When "Allegorical" (adjective) means as in symbolic, emblematic, synonyms include Aesopian, emblematic, symbolic, extended, figural and figurative. Opposites in this sense include nonfigurative, nonmetaphorical, literal and nonsymbolic.