Definition
Using or characterized by metaphor; expressing one thing in terms of another to suggest similarity or analogy. Involves figurative rather than literal language to convey meaning or create vivid imagery.
Etymology
From Greek 'metaphorikos,' from 'metaphora' (transfer), combining 'meta' (across) + 'pherein' (to carry). Aristotle first analyzed metaphor as carrying meaning across domains, and the adjective form entered English via Latin in the 16th century.
Kelly Says
Metaphorical thinking isn't just decorative language - it's how humans understand complex ideas by relating them to familiar experiences, which is why we say 'time is money' or describe arguments as 'battles' without thinking twice!
Translations
CACatalà
metàforic
meh-TAH-for-ee-k
CSČeština
metaforický
meh-TAH-for-i-cky
DADansk
metaforisk
meh-TAH-for-isk
DEDeutsch
metaphorisch
meh-TAH-for-ish
ELΕλληνικά
μεταφορικό
meh-TAH-for-iko
ESEspañol
metafórico
meh-tah-FOR-ee-koh
FISuomi
metaforinen
meh-TAH-for-i-nen
FRFrançais
métaphorique
meh-ta-FOR-ek
HUMagyar
metaforikus
meh-TAH-for-ee-kus
IDBahasa Indonesia
metaforis
meh-TAH-for-is
ITItaliano
metaforico
meh-TAH-for-ee-koh
KKKK
аллегория
al-le-go-ri-ya
MSBahasa Melayu
metaforis
meh-TAH-for-is
NLNederlands
metaforisch
meh-TAH-for-ish
NONorsk
metaforisk
meh-TAH-for-isk
PLPolski
metaforyczny
meh-TAH-for-ich-kee
PTPortuguês
metafórico
meh-tah-FOR-ee-koh
RORomână
metaforic
meh-TAH-for-ik
RUРусский
метафорический
meh-TAH-for-i-ches-kiy
SVSvenska
metaforisk
meh-TAH-for-isk
SWKiswahili
metafori
meh-TAH-for-ee
TAதமிழ்
மேற்கோள்
may-er-ko-l
TEతెలుగు
ఉపమానం
u-pa-ma-nam
THไทย
เปรียบเทียบ
p-riap-th-i-b
TLTL
pagsasalaysay
pa-g-sa-la-y-say
TRTürkçe
metaforik
meh-TAH-for-ik
UKУкраїнська
метафоричний
meh-TAH-for-ich-nyy
ZUZU
umthunzi
oom-thuhn-zee