Langimage
English

allegorical

|al-le-gor-i-cal|

C1

🇺🇸

/ˌælɪˈɡɔːrɪkəl/

🇬🇧

/ˌælɪˈɡɒrɪkəl/

symbolic representation

Etymology
Etymology Information

'allegorical' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'allēgorikos,' where 'allos' meant 'other' and 'agoreuein' meant 'to speak in public.'

Historical Evolution

'allēgorikos' transformed into the Latin word 'allegoricus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'allegorical' through Middle English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to speak in a way that conveys a different meaning,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'symbolic or metaphorical representation.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

relating to or characteristic of allegory; symbolic or metaphorical representation.

The novel is an allegorical tale of good versus evil.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/06/25 13:52