metaphor

[ met-uh-fawr, -fer ]
/ ˈmɛt əˌfɔr, -fər /

noun

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).
something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.

Origin of metaphor

1525–35; < Latin metaphora < Greek metaphorá a transfer, akin to metaphérein to transfer. See meta-, -phore

OTHER WORDS FROM metaphor

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH metaphor

metaphor simile

Example sentences from the Web for metaphoric

British Dictionary definitions for metaphoric

metaphor
/ (ˈmɛtəfə, -ˌfɔː) /

noun

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

Derived forms of metaphor

metaphoric (ˌmɛtəˈfɒrɪk) or metaphorical, adjective metaphorically, adverb metaphoricalness, noun

Word Origin for metaphor

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

Cultural definitions for metaphoric

metaphor

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.)