Definition

A figure of speech where one thing is described as if it were another, often to highlight similarities between them.

Example

In her speech, she used a metaphor to compare life to a journey.

Conversation

I read a book that used a really interesting metaphor for life.

Oh really? What was it about?

It compared life to a journey, which I thought was a great metaphor.

That does sound like a powerful way to look at it!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Metaphor → It is formed from "meta-" (meaning beyond or across) and "phor" (from Greek "pherein", meaning to carry). The word metaphor describes a figure of speech that carries meaning beyond the literal interpretation.

Memory Tip

Think of something that 'carries' ('pherein') meaning 'beyond' ('meta-') its literal sense — that's what a metaphor does.

Visually Confused Words