Main Entry:: met·a·phor
Pronunciation:: \ˈme-tə-ˌfȯr also -fər\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English methaphor, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French metaphore, from Latin metaphora, from Greek, from metapherein to transfer, from meta- + pherein to bear — more at bear
Date:: 15th century

1: a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money); broadly : figurative language — compare simile2: an object, activity, or idea treated as a metaphor : symbol 2

— met·a·phor·ic

\ˌme-tə-ˈfȯr-ik, -ˈfär-\ or met·a·phor·i·cal

Listen to the pronunciation of metaphorical

\-i-kəl\ adjective

— met·a·phor·i·cal·ly

\-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn more about "metaphor" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "metaphor" in the Visual Thesaurus

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols