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metaphorical

met·a·phor
M m

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [met-uh-fawr, -fer]
    • /ˈmɛt əˌfɔr, -fər/
    • /ˌmet.əˈfɒr.ɪ.kəl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [met-uh-fawr, -fer]
    • /ˈmɛt əˌfɔr, -fər/

Definitions of metaphorical word

  • noun metaphorical 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). 1
  • noun metaphorical something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol. 1
  • noun metaphorical Characteristic of or relating to metaphor; figurative. 1
  • adjective metaphorical figurative, not literal 1
  • adjective metaphorical You use the word metaphorical to indicate that you are not using words with their ordinary meaning, but are describing something by means of an image or symbol. 0

Information block about the term

Origin of metaphorical

First appearance:

before 1525
One of the 28% oldest English words
1525-35; < Latin metaphora < Greek metaphorá a transfer, akin to metaphérein to transfer. See meta-, -phore

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Metaphorical

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

metaphorical popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 86% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

metaphorical usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for metaphorical

adj metaphorical

  • symbolic — serving as a symbol of something (often followed by of).
  • allegorical — An allegorical story, poem, or painting uses allegory.
  • descriptive — Descriptive language or writing indicates what someone or something is like.
  • illustrative — serving to illustrate; explanatory: illustrative examples.
  • representative — a person or thing that represents another or others.

adjective metaphorical

  • representational — of or relating to representation.
  • emblematic — Serving as a symbol of a particular quality or concept; symbolic.

Antonyms for metaphorical

adjective metaphorical

  • literal — in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical: the literal meaning of a word.

Top questions with metaphorical

  • what does metaphorical mean?
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See also

Matching words

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