metaphor

[ met-uh-fawr, -fer ]

noun

1. a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.” Compare mixed metaphor, simile ( def 1 ).
2. something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.

metaphor

/ -ˌfɔː; ˌmɛtəˈfɒrɪk; ˈmɛtəfə /

noun

1. a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action that it does not literally denote in order to imply a resemblance, for example he is a lion in battle Compare simile

metaphor

1. The comparison of one thing to another without the use of like or as : “A man is but a weak reed”; “The road was a ribbon of moonlight.” Metaphors are common in literature and expansive speech. ( Compare simile .)

Derived Forms

• metaphoric, adjective
• ˌmetaˈphorically, adverb
• ˌmetaˈphoricalness, noun

Other Words From

• met·a·phor·i·cal [met-, uh, -, fawr, -i-k, uh, l, -, for, -], met·a·phor·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of metaphor¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin metaphora, from Greek metaphorá “a transfer,” akin to metaphérein “to transfer”; meta-, -phore

Word History and Origins

Origin of metaphor¹

C16: from Latin, from Greek metaphora, from metapherein to transfer, from meta- + pherein to bear

Example Sentences

“The simile with the DNA is more a metaphor but in some way, there exists the connection as mentioned for solving paths.”

From Salon

In the song “A Bowler Hat,” Sondheim’s genius is unmistakable in the way he finds the truth of what’s been culturally lost and gained in a simple clothing metaphor.

From Los Angeles Times

"Gladiator II is equal in scale and spectacle, and weighted with metaphor, but it’s also shot through with the kind of wry, absurdist slant that’s come to dominate Scott’s work of the last decade and a half," wrote Clarisse Loughrey.

From BBC

You can read that as a fluke, a demonstration of climate change or a metaphor: What had unfolded over the previous night and into early Wednesday morning was certainly a form of explosive combustion.

From Salon

I couldn’t think of a better metaphor for the battle over District 14 that was ending that night.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• analogy
• image
• symbol