Word

metaphor

noun B1

UK /ˈmɛt.ə.fə/

US /ˈmɛt.ə.foɹ/

Meanings

noun

A figure of speech that describes something by saying it is something else, to create a strong image or meaning.

noun

A symbol or image used to represent an idea, feeling, or situation in an indirect way.

Definition

A metaphor is a way of describing something by saying it is something else to create a clear image or idea.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things by stating one thing is another. It is used to make language more vivid and expressive without using words like “like” or “as.” Writers and speakers use metaphor to help the listener imagine feelings, qualities, or ideas more clearly.

Examples

Her voice was a warm blanket, a metaphor for comfort.
The teacher explained the metaphor with a simple picture.
In the poem, time is a river is a famous metaphor.
He used a sports metaphor to describe the negotiation.
The film’s central metaphor is a maze that represents the mind.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse metaphor with simile and use “like” or “as,” but a metaphor usually states one thing is another directly.