A '''figure of speech''' is a use of a [[word]] that diverges from its [[normal]] [[meaning]], or a phrase with a specialized [[meaning]] not based on the [[literal]] meaning of the [[words]] in it such as a [[metaphor]], [[simile]], or [[personification]]. Figures of speech often provide emphasis, freshness of [[expression]], or [[clarity]]. However, clarity may also suffer from their use, as any figure of speech introduces an [[ambiguity]] between literal and figurative [[interpretation]]. A figure of speech is sometimes called a [[rhetoric]] or a locution. | A '''figure of speech''' is a use of a [[word]] that diverges from its [[normal]] [[meaning]], or a phrase with a specialized [[meaning]] not based on the [[literal]] meaning of the [[words]] in it such as a [[metaphor]], [[simile]], or [[personification]]. Figures of speech often provide emphasis, freshness of [[expression]], or [[clarity]]. However, clarity may also suffer from their use, as any figure of speech introduces an [[ambiguity]] between literal and figurative [[interpretation]]. A figure of speech is sometimes called a [[rhetoric]] or a locution. |