What is figurative language?

Figurative language refers to expressions that convey meanings that are not literally true, allowing for creativity and deeper interpretation. It includes devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, and hyperbole, among others. By going beyond the literal meaning of words, figurative language can evoke emotions, create imagery, and suggest relationships between seemingly unrelated concepts.

This approach to communication enriches language and adds layers of meaning, making it especially effective in poetry, prose, and everyday speech. For example, saying someone has a "heart of stone" does not imply a literal stone heart but suggests emotional coldness, illustrating how figurative language can express complex ideas succinctly and powerfully.

The other choices focus on literal language, poetic exclusivity, or simplification of complex ideas, which do not align with the essence of figurative language. Figurative language thrives on complexity and nuance rather than simplifying or directly stating facts.