Metaphor
/ˈmɛtəfɔːr/
Definitions
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
/ˈmɛtəfɔːr/
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.
The poet used a metaphor to describe the sun as a golden coin in the sky.
💡 Simply: Imagine comparing two things without using 'like' or 'as.' It's like saying someone's heart is made of stone, not literally, but to show they are not sensitive. So instead of saying something's 'like' or 'as', you are describing something by being something else.
👶 For kids: A metaphor is when you say something is something else, but you don't really mean it! Like, "The snow is a blanket." The snow isn't *really* a blanket, but it covers everything like a blanket does.
More Examples
The novel is filled with powerful metaphors that explore the themes of love and loss.
Understanding the use of metaphor can enhance your appreciation of literature.
How It's Used
"Shakespeare's plays are rich with metaphors, such as 'All the world's a stage'."
"She was a rock during the crisis."
Idioms & expressions
A well of metaphors
Someone who uses a lot of metaphors in his/her speech and writing.
"The author is a well of metaphors, using them to create vivid descriptions."
A living metaphor
Something that can be understood as a symbol for something else. Something that is often interpreted as a symbol or representation of something deeper or more abstract.
"Her life as a single mother was a living metaphor of resilience."
From Latin *metaphora*, from Greek *metaphorá* (a transfer), from *metapherein* (to transfer), from *meta-* (beyond, across) + *pherein* (to carry). It entered English in the 14th century.
Metaphor has been a fundamental concept in rhetoric and literature since ancient times, with its use and understanding central to the development of creative expression.
Memory tip
Think of it as a secret code that links two unrelated things to create a vivid image.