This page gathers the 5,691 dictionary entries of which at least one sense is labelled “Figuratively” by Wiktionary. The definition shown is that sense; each word leads to its full entry. Page 3 of 57: from “asymptote” to “baptism of fire”.
- asymptote noun Anything which comes near to but never meets something else.
- at a discount prep_phrase In low regard; not in demand.
- at hand prep_phrase Currently receiving attention.
- at one blast adv At once, at the same moment in time.
- at one stroke prep_phrase At once, immediately; in an instant.
- at play prep_phrase In action.
- at the expense of prep In a way as to harm somebody or something; to the detriment of.
- at war prep_phrase (typically with with or against) Vigorously opposed (to); in strong conflict (with).
- at work prep_phrase At play, in action.
- athirst adj Eager or extremely desirous (for something).
- athwart adv Against the anticipated or appropriate course of something; improperly, perversely, wrongly.
- atiptoe adv Quietly, and little by little.
- Atlantean adj Of the celestial spheres carried by Atlas
- atmosphere noun The conditions (such as music, illumination, etc.) that can influence the mood felt in an environment.
- atomy noun A very small being; a mite.
- atrament noun Any particularly black liquid substance.
- atrine verb To touch; concern; befall.
- attack dog noun A person who engages in rhetorical attacks on behalf of another.
- attain verb To arrive at (a certain age or time, condition or state, etc.); to reach.
- attend verb Of a thing: to be in store or lie in wait for (someone or something); to await.
- atter noun Moral corruption or corruptness; noxious or corrupt influence, poison to the soul, evil, anger, envy, hatred; destruction, death.
- attic adj Marked by the qualities traditionally considered characteristic of the ancient Athenians: classical, refined.
- attitude noun A disposition or state of mind.
- attitudinize verb To create art, speak, or write in a manner which assumes affected, exaggerated, or unnatural attitudes.
- attune verb To bring into harmony or accord.
- Augean stables noun A place or situation characterized by corruption or moral decay.
- aura noun A distinctive atmosphere or quality surrounding or associated with something or someone.
- author noun The creator or cause of anything.
- autopilot noun A state of mind where one no longer thinks about doing one's actions, but acts mechanically.
- autopsy noun An after-the-fact examination, especially of the causes of a failure.
- Avada Kedavra verb To destroy (something).
- awake adj Alert, aware.
- awaken verb To bring into action (something previously dormant); to stimulate.
- awakening noun Being roused into action or activity.
- AWOL noun Someone or something missing.
- awry adj Wrong or distorted; perverse, amiss, off course
- axe verb To lay off, terminate or drastically reduce, especially in a rough or ruthless manner; to cancel.
- axe murderer noun Any incredibly dangerous person.
- axeman noun A man who wields an axe.
- axing noun The process of something being axed or terminated.
- axis noun The centre of attention within a process (e.g. the axis of investigation)
- baby-brained adj Having the mindset or outlook of a baby or toddler; immature, childish, infantile.
- Babylonian adj Characteristic of Babylon or its civilization and inhabitants; huge, decadent, indulgent. .
- Babylonic adj Tumultuous; disorderly.
- bacillus noun Something which spreads like bacterial infection.
- back noun The part of a piece of clothing which covers the back.
- back and fill verb To take opposite positions alternately; to flip-flop
- back burner noun A state of low urgency; a state of low current importance.
- back of one's hand noun A display of disrespect or scorn.
- back-seat driver noun An opinionated person who offers (unsolicited and often unwanted) advice on the best way to handle a situation.
- backblow noun A backlash.
- backbone noun Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
- backboneless adj Cowardly, spineless.
- backcast noun Any discouragement or cause of relapse or failure.
- backdrop noun Any background situation.
- backfiring noun A failure that leads to further misfortune.
- background verb To put in a position that is not prominent.
- backlash noun A negative reaction, objection or outcry, especially of a violent or abrupt nature.
- backroom noun Especially, one that is only accessible to a privileged few and can be used as an inconspicuous meeting place, where secrecy, anonymity…
- backscratcher noun A participant in corruption, such as a briber or pay-to-play participant.
- backside noun The reverse or opposite of anything.
- backstep noun A regression.
- backstreet adj Done in poor and unsanitary conditions, secretly and illegally; back-alley.
- backstretch noun The middle part of an event.
- backward adj Acting or moving oppositely to the desired direction of progress.
- backwater noun A remote place: somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; any field of endeavor that figuratively resembles…
- bad boy noun An undesirable or difficult task.
- bad light noun An unfavourable presentation.
- bad money drives out good proverb Overvalued mediocre talent replaces undervalued real talent.
- bad touch noun An interaction that makes someone uncomfortable.
- baggy adj Of writing, etc.: overwrought; flabby; having too much padding.
- bake verb To incorporate into something greater.
- baked adj Of a person: crazy, insane.
- baking adj Of a person, an object, or the weather: very hot; boiling, broiling, roasting.
- balance noun Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.
- balancing act noun An effort to manage many conflicting or competing items or interests.
- bald adj Lacking any covering.
- bald-faced adj Shameless and undisguised.
- baldric noun The zodiac (“belt-like region of the celestial sphere, approximately eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic, which includes the…
- ball and chain noun Anything that restricts one's freedom or opportunities.
- ball game noun Affair, issue, matter, subject, story, topic.
- ballast noun Anything that steadies emotion or the mind.
- ballet noun Any intricate series of operations involving coordination between individuals.
- ballpark noun The general vicinity; somewhere close; a broad approximation.
- balls-deep adv Synonym of neckdeep (“fully immersed or committed (to something)”)
- balm verb To soothe; to mitigate.
- balm of Gilead noun A remedy believed to cure all disease; a panacea.
- balsam noun Something soothing.
- banana boat noun A vessel which transports immigrants.
- banana peel noun A cause of difficulty, or potential embarrassment.
- band-aid verb To apply a makeshift fix; to jury-rig.
- bandage noun A provisional or makeshift solution that provides insufficient coverage or relief.
- bandog noun Something that or someone who pursues doggedly.
- bandwagon verb To join a bandwagon (a current movement that attracts wide support).
- bane verb To cause (someone) misery or ruin; to socially or spiritually injure (someone).
- bankers' hours noun Any easy job, especially one with a short working day.
- bankroll noun The monetary assets of a person or organization.
- bankrupt adj Destitute of, or wholly lacking a good quality, value, etc. one should possess or once possessed.
- banner noun A cause or purpose; a campaign or movement.
- baptism of fire noun The first experience of a severe ordeal, especially a first experience of military combat