metaphor
Use Metaphor in a sentence
əˌfɔr, -fər noun
1.
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 ).
2.
something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.
Origin:
1525–35; < Latin metaphora < Greek metaphorá a transfer, akin to metaphérein to transfer. See meta-, -phore
1525–35; < Latin metaphora < Greek metaphorá a transfer, akin to metaphérein to transfer. See meta-, -phore
Related forms
met·a·phor·i·cal·ly, adverb
met·a·phor·i·cal·ness, noun
hy·per·met·a·phor·ic, adjective
hy·per·met·a·phor·i·cal, adjective
non·met·a·phor·ic, adjective
non·met·a·phor·i·cal, adjective
non·met·a·phor·i·cal·ly, adverb
sem·i·met·a·phor·ic, adjective
sem·i·met·a·phor·i·cal, adjective
sem·i·met·a·phor·i·cal·ly, adverb
sub·met·a·phor·ic, adjective
sub·met·a·phor·i·cal, adjective
sub·met·a·phor·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To metaphor
00:10
Metaphor
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
metaphor (ˈmɛtəfə, -ˌfɔː) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| Compare simile 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 | |
| [C16: from Latin, from Greek metaphora, from metapherein to transfer, from | |
| metaphoric | |
| —adj | |
| meta'phorical | |
| —adj | |
| meta'phorically | |
| —adv | |
| meta'phoricalness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
metaphor
1530s, from M.Fr. metaphore, from L. metaphora, from Gk. metaphora "a transfer," especially of the sense of one word to a different word, lit. "a carrying over," from metapherein "transfer, carry over," from meta- "over, across" (see meta-) + pherein "to carry, bear" (see
infer). Related: Metaphoric; metaphorical; metaphorically.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
metaphor definition
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.)
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Well, it is a figure of speech, a metaphor true in the sense of unknown or lesser known.
Her metaphor implied that astronomers were mightily confused about how the universe had formed.
In essence, it's a metaphor for these dogs outside the security industry, especially when they lack expert handlers.
As usual, a metaphor goes straight over someone's head.
Nearby Words
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