metaphor
263
4.2
- noun
- /ˈmɛtəˌfɔr/
- Literature
:
metáfora
- The author's use of the ocean as a metaphor for emotions added depth to the story.
- metaphors and similes
- a visual metaphor
- understand the metaphor
They've only spoken in metaphor because they can't.
- They've only spoken in metaphor because they can't.
- I want to explain this concept, this metaphor of doing nothing,
- They could be, as it is in this metaphor, flowering plants.
- So he uses this metaphor of a bell, right?
- So he has this metaphor of the bud.
- Why did you use this metaphor of the vampire?
- Stories are first of all metaphors for life.
- OK, there's lots of lion metaphors in the Bible.
- We love metaphors and look for them constantly.
- And what is the the most primitive metaphor?
- Allow me to stretch the metaphor farther.
- But an orange is a simple metaphor.
Examples
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The choices belong both to the deviser of the metaphor and to its interpreters.
Academic text (1999) -
Wow, what a perfect metaphor for my poll numbers.
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Let me give you a metaphor that may help you, OK?
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This line also seems to be a suitable metaphor for our online world.
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And this metaphor kind of explains my problem with it.
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But in a way, isn't that a metaphor for America?
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Stories are first of all metaphors for life.
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You have to look at the Starship Enterprise as a metaphor for the human brain.
Fiction book (1994) -
Ah, kind of a fitting metaphor for the way basketball's viewed at this company.
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If these conventions are common, perhaps the most widespread metaphor employs some sort of botanical reference.
Academic text (1999)
Synonyms
44
8.2
A use of words that means more than the usual meaning
20
3.7
Words used to mean something different to create a strong picture
5
7.4
A word or phrase that people use to describe something in a way that is not literal
Antonyms
Compounds
- Literature
3
6.8
A mix of different images that do not fit together and sound confusing
- Literature
A phrase that once made a clear picture but now feels literal like 'leg of a table'
- Literature
Describing one sense using terms from another, like calling music sweet
How Figurative
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word metaphor comes from Greek parts meta 'beyond' and pherein 'to carry'. So a metaphor 'carries' an idea from one thing to another, like the English idea of 'transfer', which is why saying 'time is a thief' makes time feel like it steals.