Definitions for metaphor
ˈmɛt əˌfɔr, -fərmetaphor

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.1 / 8 votes

1. metaphornoun

   a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.3 / 4 votes

1. metaphornoun

   The use of a word or phrase to refer to something that it isn't, invoking a direct similarity between the word or phrase used and the thing described, but in the case of English without the words like or as, which would imply a simile.

2. metaphornoun

   The word or phrase used in this way. An implied comparison.

3. Etymology: From metaphora, from μεταφορά, from μεταφέρω, from μετά + φέρω

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. METAPHORnoun

   The application of a word to an use to which, in its original import, it cannot be put: as, he bridles his anger; he deadens the sound; the spring awakes the flowers.

   Etymology: metaphore, Fr. μετάφορα.

   A metaphor is a simile comprized in a word; the spring putting in action the powers of vegetation, which were torpid in the winter, as the powers of a sleeping animal are excited by awaking him.

   The work of tragedy is on the passions, and in a dialogue; both of them abhor strong metaphors, in which the epopœa delights. John Dryden, Virgil’s Æneis. Ded. to.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Metaphor

   Metaphor can mean: Metaphor in literature and rhetoric, an analogy between two objects or ideas, conveyed by using a word instead of another word Conceptual metaphor, metaphors in cognitive linguistics, understanding one idea or conceptual domain in terms of another Interface metaphor, metaphors in computer science, for example an icon of a filing cabinet for "filestore" Metaphor: The Tree of Utah, a sculpture "Metaphor", a song by In Flames from their album Reroute to Remain "Metaphors", a poem by Sylvia Plath

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. metaphor

   A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, implying a resemblance or analogy. It involves a direct or indirect comparison between two unlike things, suggesting that one thing is another, not just that one is like another. For example, "He is a lion in battle," directly compares a man to a lion, implying courage and strength.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:2.0 / 2 votes

1. Metaphornoun

   the transference of the relation between one set of objects to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea

2. Etymology: [F. mtaphore, L. metaphora, fr. Gr. metafora`, fr. metafe`rein to carry over, transfer; meta` beyond, over + fe`rein to bring, bear.]

WikidataRate this definition:4.3 / 3 votes

1. Metaphor

   A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes a subject by asserting that it is, on some point of comparison, the same as another otherwise unrelated object. Metaphor is a type of analogy and is closely related to other rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via association, comparison or resemblance including allegory, hyperbole, and simile. In simpler terms, a metaphor compares two objects or things without using the words "like" or "as". One of the most prominent examples of a metaphor in English literature is the All the world's a stage monologue from As You Like It: This quote is a metaphor because the world is not literally a stage. By figuratively asserting that the world is a stage, Shakespeare uses the points of comparison between the world and a stage to convey an understanding about the mechanics of the world and the lives of the people within it.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. Metaphor

   met′a-fur, n. a transference of meaning, the putting of one thing for another which it only resembles, as when words are said to be bitter: an implicit simile.—adjs. Metaphor′ic, -al, pertaining to, or containing, metaphor: figurative.—adv. Metaphor′ically.—ns. Metaphor′icalness; Met′aphorist.—Mixed metaphor, an expression in which two or more metaphors are confused, where one only is capable of being intelligibly evolved or conceived objectively, as Cromwell's 'God has kindled a seed in this nation.' [Fr.,—Gr. metaphora—metapherein—meta, over, pherein, to carry.]

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Metaphor

   The application of a concept to that which it is not literally the same but which suggests a resemblance and comparison. Medical metaphors were widespread in ancient literature; the description of a sick body was often used by ancient writers to define a critical condition of the State, in which one corrupt part can ruin the entire system. (From Med Secoli Arte Sci, 1990;2(3):abstract 331)

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. metaphorverb

   A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. A thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, especially something abstract. 0.) The past is in the books, The present is in the mine, and the future is at hand. 1.) a creative work referring to itself or to the conventions of its genre denoting an agent or bearer of a specific thing.

   I like to live my life by accurate metaphors.

   Etymology: Sayin

   
   

   Submitted by Tehorah_Elyon on May 4, 2024  

2. ---

   metaphorverb

   Referring to itself or to the conventions of its genre; self-referential change of position or condition bearing a specific subject. 1.) a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. A thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, esp. something abstract.

   My rapping metaphor has a vocabulary lane of its own.

   Etymology: Pronunciation

   
   

   Submitted by Tehorah_Elyon on April 3, 2024  

Matched Categories

1. • Trope

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'metaphor' in Nouns Frequency: #2660

Anagrams for metaphor »

1. trophema

How to pronounce metaphor?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say metaphor in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of metaphor in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of metaphor in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of metaphor in a Sentence

1. John Schnatter:

   My metaphor is : There's no reason to be in the car when the car crashes even if you love the car.

2. Jose Ortega y Gasset:

   The metaphor is perhaps one of man's most fruitful potentialities. Its efficacy verges on magic, and it seems a tool for creation which God forgot inside one of His creatures when He made him.

3. Troy Sanders:

   We cloak it in metaphor -- instead of painting a very literal picture of the person sick in bed we have broader brush strokes and try to create some kind of fantastical environment that mimics that particular situation and within that fantastical environment you can change the circumstance and make them something more triumphant. if you are good friends someone, and you are with one another and have a very strong relationship I think it’s a wonderful and healthy thing to do to be supportive and be physically present and again turning all these emotions into something productive. Turning this darkness into something bright and positive or at least attempting to.

4. G. K. Chesterton:

   All slang is a metaphor, and all metaphor is poetry.

5. Shoryu Bradley:

   Zazen is the dragons roar. This dragons roar is the wind passing and whistling through a hollow tree. This can be a metaphor for your Zazen practice and or even your life. If you can let go, greatly let go, this dragons roar can manifest through you. It is much bigger than the individual.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=metaphor
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Metaphor
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=metaphor
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphor
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphor
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=metaphor
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=metaphor