metaphor

Meaning

Noun

1. (rhetoric, uncountable) The use of a word, phrase, concept, or set of concepts to refer to something other than its literal meaning, invoking an implicit similarity between the thing described and what is denoted by the word, etc., that is used.
2. (countable, rhetoric) A word or phrase used in such implied comparison.
3. (countable) The use of an everyday object or concept to represent an underlying facet of the computer and thus aid users in performing tasks.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To use a metaphor.
2. (transitive) To describe by means of a metaphor.

Synonyms

simile

analogy

figure of speech

comparison

parable

trope

allegory

fable

example

illustration

imagery

just like

portage

proverb

symbol

traction

traffic

transfer

transference

transportation

truckage

Figurative language

transport

analogue

carriage

conveyance

figurativeness

figure

for example

for instance

freightage

Translations

Metapher

métaphore

metáfora

metafora

metafoor

metáfora

μεταφορά

beeldspraak

metàfora

beeld

mecaz

metafor

استعارة

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈmɛ.tə.fə/

Etymology

From Middle French métaphore, from Latin metaphora, from Ancient Greek μεταφορά (metaphorá), from μεταφέρω (metaphérō, “I transfer, apply”), from μετά (metá, “with, across, after”) + φέρω (phérō, “I bear, carry”).