Metaphorical
adjective
Used to describe a thing that is a symbol representing something else.
Her journey to the top of the mountain is a metaphorical representation of her struggle with depression.
Often appears as...
- metaphorical representation
- metaphorical expression
adjective
Used to describe a thing that is a symbol representing something else.
Her journey to the top of the mountain is a metaphorical representation of her struggle with depression.
Often appears as...
- metaphorical representation
- metaphorical expression
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid Literal
Don't use 'metaphorical' for objects or actions meant to be understood as they are, without symbolic meaning.
Saying 'metaphorical key' for an actual key is incorrect.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Specific
'Metaphorical' makes sense in a context where the figurative meaning is clear from surrounding text or conversation.
His 'lion's heart' is metaphorical, suggesting bravery, not an actual heart.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware that metaphors can be culture-specific; what's metaphorical in one culture may not be in another.
In many cultures, a 'phoenix rising' is a metaphorical expression of rebirth or resurgence.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid Literal
Don't use 'metaphorical' for objects or actions meant to be understood as they are, without symbolic meaning.
Saying 'metaphorical key' for an actual key is incorrect.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Specific
'Metaphorical' makes sense in a context where the figurative meaning is clear from surrounding text or conversation.
His 'lion's heart' is metaphorical, suggesting bravery, not an actual heart.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware that metaphors can be culture-specific; what's metaphorical in one culture may not be in another.
In many cultures, a 'phoenix rising' is a metaphorical expression of rebirth or resurgence.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid Literal
Don't use 'metaphorical' for objects or actions meant to be understood as they are, without symbolic meaning.
Saying 'metaphorical key' for an actual key is incorrect.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Specific
'Metaphorical' makes sense in a context where the figurative meaning is clear from surrounding text or conversation.
His 'lion's heart' is metaphorical, suggesting bravery, not an actual heart.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware that metaphors can be culture-specific; what's metaphorical in one culture may not be in another.
In many cultures, a 'phoenix rising' is a metaphorical expression of rebirth or resurgence.
Compare with
allegoricalemblematicfigurativeimaginaryparabolicpoeticrepresentationalsymbology
Never forget "Metaphorical"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
How to bring classical...
so orchestras were not facing a metaphorical death of classical music they were facing the literal death of classical music audiences the study however did offer a couple of potential solutions the first attract and retain younger audiences the second attract and retain diverse audiences so as the young conductor I was determined I was going to help save
Video examples
This Clown Philosopher...
everybody around the world so that in a way not only has the educated people to appreciate his style of clown theater and his style of clowning but at the same time he has stretched the range of what is considered a clown but a clown can work lyrically they can work metaphorically they could work with
Video examples
Why bother leaving the...
only comes from adversity and from challenge, from stepping away from what's comfortable and familiar and stepping out into the unknown. In life, we all have tempests to ride and poles to walk to, and I think metaphorically speaking, at least, we could all benefit from getting outside the house
Video examples
The voices in my head PIPE...
and as such were not my enemies but a source of insight into solvable emotional problems. Now, at first, this was very difficult to believe, not least because the voices appeared so hostile and menacing, so in this respect, a vital first step was learning to separate out a metaphorical meaning
Video examples
How to get empowered,...
even at the most basic level, so let's take a closer look at possible futures that we might choose to steer toward, alright? So don't get me wrong here. I'm not talking about space travel, merely about humanity's metaphorical journey into the future.
Video examples
Three ideas. Three...
I wrote a comedy show that did not respect the punchline, that line where comedians are expected and trusted to pull their punches and turn them into tickles. I did not stop. I punched through that line into the metaphorical guts of my audience.
Video examples
The history of the Cuban...
For the first time in history, the U.S. Military set itself to DEFCON 2, the defense readiness one step away from nuclear war. With hundreds of nuclear missiles ready to launch, the metaphorical Doomsday Clock stood at one minute to midnight.
Video examples
Why you don’t like the...
So, metaphorically, each of us here has relived the evolution of our whole species. And talking about babies, when you were starting to develop in your mother's womb, the first sensation that you had coming from the outside world,
Video examples
James Geary, metaphorical...
And the metaphorical truth interferes with our ability to identify it as literally false. Metaphor matters because it's around us every day, all the time. Metaphor matters because it creates expectations.
Video examples
How your emotions change...
And perhaps it's only logical that emotions would be linked to an organ characterized by its agitated movement. But what is this link? Is it real or purely metaphorical? As a heart specialist,
Video examples
How to bring classical...
so orchestras were not facing a metaphorical death of classical music they were facing the literal death of classical music audiences the study however did offer a couple of potential solutions the first attract and retain younger audiences the second attract and retain diverse audiences so as the young conductor I was determined I was going to help save
Video examples
This Clown Philosopher...
everybody around the world so that in a way not only has the educated people to appreciate his style of clown theater and his style of clowning but at the same time he has stretched the range of what is considered a clown but a clown can work lyrically they can work metaphorically they could work with
Video examples
Why bother leaving the...
only comes from adversity and from challenge, from stepping away from what's comfortable and familiar and stepping out into the unknown. In life, we all have tempests to ride and poles to walk to, and I think metaphorically speaking, at least, we could all benefit from getting outside the house
Video examples
The voices in my head PIPE...
and as such were not my enemies but a source of insight into solvable emotional problems. Now, at first, this was very difficult to believe, not least because the voices appeared so hostile and menacing, so in this respect, a vital first step was learning to separate out a metaphorical meaning
Video examples
How to get empowered,...
even at the most basic level, so let's take a closer look at possible futures that we might choose to steer toward, alright? So don't get me wrong here. I'm not talking about space travel, merely about humanity's metaphorical journey into the future.
Video examples
Three ideas. Three...
I wrote a comedy show that did not respect the punchline, that line where comedians are expected and trusted to pull their punches and turn them into tickles. I did not stop. I punched through that line into the metaphorical guts of my audience.
Video examples
The history of the Cuban...
For the first time in history, the U.S. Military set itself to DEFCON 2, the defense readiness one step away from nuclear war. With hundreds of nuclear missiles ready to launch, the metaphorical Doomsday Clock stood at one minute to midnight.
Video examples
Why you don’t like the...
So, metaphorically, each of us here has relived the evolution of our whole species. And talking about babies, when you were starting to develop in your mother's womb, the first sensation that you had coming from the outside world,
Video examples
James Geary, metaphorical...
And the metaphorical truth interferes with our ability to identify it as literally false. Metaphor matters because it's around us every day, all the time. Metaphor matters because it creates expectations.
Video examples
How your emotions change...
And perhaps it's only logical that emotions would be linked to an organ characterized by its agitated movement. But what is this link? Is it real or purely metaphorical? As a heart specialist,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
David Chase
American Writer
I said it's a cold universe and I don't mean that metaphorically. If you go out into space, it's cold. It's really cold and we don't know what's up there. We happen to be in this little pocket where there's a sun. What have we got except love and each other to guard against all that isolation and loneliness?
Quote examples
Deepak Chopra
American Speaker
There are receptors to these molecules in your immune system, in your gut and in your heart. So when you say, 'I have a gut feeling' or 'my heart is sad' or 'I am bursting with joy,' you're not speaking metaphorically. You're speaking literally.
Quote examples
Lynsey Addario
American Photographer
The more I photographed Muslim women, the more I was able to metaphorically strip away the burqas and hijabs, and start chipping away at the profound misconceptions that existed in other parts of the world about these women and their culture.
Quote examples
John Cooper Clarke
English Poet
Literally' - I'm not having it; people can't go around saying 'literally.' Otherwise, what's literal? There's not another word for literally: if it isn't figurative or metaphorical, what is it? It's literal: there's no substitute.
Quote examples
T. C. Boyle
American Novelist
I hope to stay light on my feet, to work in many modes, to seek inspiration always, and avoid the fatal. But, as we all know, it is the price of life to burn out, both metaphorically and literally.
Quote examples
Simon Beaufoy
British Writer
Everyone's got a boulder in their life of one sort or another that they need to overcome. For most people, it's not a literal one, but there are certainly metaphorical ones.
Quote examples
Benedict Cumberbatch
English Actor
Metaphorically speaking, it's easy to bump into one another on the journey from A to B and not even notice. People should take time to notice, enjoy and help each other.
Quote examples
Henry Fielding
English Novelist
LOVE: A word properly applied to our delight in particular kinds of food; sometimes metaphorically spoken of the favorite objects of all our appetites.
Quote examples
Kalki Koechlin
French Actress
Theatre is more metaphorical where you have to be louder and larger than life, whereas film is more subtle and more real.
Quote examples
Alice Walker
American Author
My parents were both storytellers. They always spoke with metaphorical richness.
Quote examples
David Chase
American Writer
I said it's a cold universe and I don't mean that metaphorically. If you go out into space, it's cold. It's really cold and we don't know what's up there. We happen to be in this little pocket where there's a sun. What have we got except love and each other to guard against all that isolation and loneliness?
Quote examples
Deepak Chopra
American Speaker
There are receptors to these molecules in your immune system, in your gut and in your heart. So when you say, 'I have a gut feeling' or 'my heart is sad' or 'I am bursting with joy,' you're not speaking metaphorically. You're speaking literally.
Quote examples
Lynsey Addario
American Photographer
The more I photographed Muslim women, the more I was able to metaphorically strip away the burqas and hijabs, and start chipping away at the profound misconceptions that existed in other parts of the world about these women and their culture.
Quote examples
John Cooper Clarke
English Poet
Literally' - I'm not having it; people can't go around saying 'literally.' Otherwise, what's literal? There's not another word for literally: if it isn't figurative or metaphorical, what is it? It's literal: there's no substitute.
Quote examples
T. C. Boyle
American Novelist
I hope to stay light on my feet, to work in many modes, to seek inspiration always, and avoid the fatal. But, as we all know, it is the price of life to burn out, both metaphorically and literally.
Quote examples
Simon Beaufoy
British Writer
Everyone's got a boulder in their life of one sort or another that they need to overcome. For most people, it's not a literal one, but there are certainly metaphorical ones.
Quote examples
Benedict Cumberbatch
English Actor
Metaphorically speaking, it's easy to bump into one another on the journey from A to B and not even notice. People should take time to notice, enjoy and help each other.
Quote examples
Henry Fielding
English Novelist
LOVE: A word properly applied to our delight in particular kinds of food; sometimes metaphorically spoken of the favorite objects of all our appetites.
Quote examples
Kalki Koechlin
French Actress
Theatre is more metaphorical where you have to be louder and larger than life, whereas film is more subtle and more real.
Quote examples
Alice Walker
American Author
My parents were both storytellers. They always spoke with metaphorical richness.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension