metonymous

1 9.6

Using the name of something closely related to mean something else, like 'the White House' for the president

adjective
/məˈtɒnɪməs/

Literature

: metonímico

The phrase 'the White House' is a metonymous way to refer to the U.S. president or administration.

Examples

The term 'Hollywood' is often used in a metonymous way to represent the American film industry.
Calling business executives 'suits' is a metonymous use of language.
In literature, authors often use metonymous expressions to create vivid imagery.
In literature, a metonymous expression can enhance imagery and meaning.
The phrase 'the White House' is a metonymous way to refer to the U.S. president or administration.
Calling business executives 'suits' is a metonymous use of language.
The term 'Hollywood' is often used in a metonymous way to represent the American film industry.

Synonyms

metonymic

vsmetonymous

Literature

1 9.2

Using the name of one thing to mean something closely connected

is the -ous adjective form with identical meaning

metonymical

vsmetonymous

Literature

1 9.1

Using one thing's name to mean something closely connected, like 'the crown' for the king

is the -ous adjective form with identical meaning

How Figurative

metaphorical

5 6.6

metonymous

Literature

1 9.6

figurative

11 6.4

literal

118 3.5

Surface Forms

metonymous positive

Morphology

metonymous = metonymy (transparent) = metonymy + ous

The adjective is directly formed from the noun 'metonymy' by adding the productive English suffix '-ous', so the meaning 'relating to metonymy' is directly derived.

Etymology

Metonymous comes from the Greek parts meta- meaning 'change' and -onym from onoma meaning 'name', so it means 'change of name'. So, a metonymous expression uses one thing's name to stand for something closely connected to it, as in 'the White House' for the U.S. president, and you can see the -onym part in familiar words like synonym and anonymous.