What is a figure of speech?

A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that conveys meaning in a nonliteral way, enhancing the emotional or imaginative effect of language. It often involves comparisons, exaggerations, or associations that go beyond the straightforward interpretation of words. By using such figures, writers and speakers can create vivid imagery, evoke feelings, or highlight particular aspects of their message.

In this case, selecting the answer that describes a word or phrase that adds rhetorical force in a nonliteral sense accurately captures the essence of what figures of speech achieve. They enrich language, allowing for deeper expression and engagement with the audience, making them a powerful tool in both writing and speaking. Figures of speech include similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and more, all of which serve to enhance meaning rather than convey it in a strictly literal manner.