What does allegorically mean?
Allegorically is an adverb describing something done by means of allegory — a mode of expression in which characters, events, or images stand for abstract ideas such as virtue, vice, death, or political systems. To speak or write allegorically is to communicate indirectly: instead of stating a moral lesson outright, one embeds it in a symbolic narrative that readers must decode. The word appears chiefly in literary, artistic, theological, and scholarly contexts, often attached to verbs like 'speaks', 'writes', 'depicts', or 'reads'. Classic examples include John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress', which follows Christian's journey allegorically toward salvation, and George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', which portrays the Russian Revolution allegorically through farm animals. Its single natural antonym is 'literally'. Understanding this word helps readers recognize when a text invites interpretation beyond its surface story, a skill central to literary analysis and art criticism alike.
adverbIn a manner that uses allegory — that is, by means of a story, image, or figure whose characters and events symbolically represent deeper moral, political, or spiritual meanings.
- In a way that conveys meaning through symbolic figures, characters, or events rather than direct statement (the dominant and essentially sole sense).
"In 'Animal Farm,' Orwell writes allegorically about the Russian Revolution through the actions of farm animals."
"Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress' presents Christian's journey allegorically as a walk from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City."
"The painter chose to represent justice allegorically, as a blindfolded woman holding scales."
When medieval monks read Scripture, they assumed every detail — even the number of camels — was written allegorically, hiding layers of meaning beneath the surface story.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of allegorically
Allegorically derives from 'allegory', which traces back through Latin 'allegoria' to Greek 'allēgoria' (ἀλληγορία), from 'allos' (other) and 'agoreuein' (to speak in the assembly) — literally 'to speak otherwise than openly'. The adverb form arose in English alongside the adjective 'allegorical', with usage established by the early modern period as allegorical reading became central to biblical exegesis and literary criticism. Related English forms include 'allegorize', 'allegorist', and 'allegoric'.
Related word forms
How allegorically is actually used
Formal to literary register; most at home in discussions of literature, art, theology, and criticism. Rarely used in casual conversation. It typically modifies verbs of communication ('speaks', 'writes', 'reads') or describes interpretive approaches to texts.
Easily confused with allegorically
Despite a superficial sound resemblance in some pronunciations, an alligator is a large reptile, while 'allegorically' is an adverb describing symbolic or figurative expression.