metaphor
To metaphor means to describe one thing by saying it is another different thing. This helps people understand a feeling or idea by using a simple picture in their minds.
Examples
3 of 5The poet metaphors the moon as a white balloon in the sky.
The writer describes the moon by saying it is a white balloon.
In his speech, the leader metaphors the country as a ship in a storm.
The leader says the country is like a ship to show it is in a difficult time.
My friend metaphors his old car as a tired horse.
My friend says his car is a tired horse to show it is slow.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Meta-Phone': You are calling one thing by another thing's name to send a message.
Quick Quiz
The teacher tried to ____ the classroom as a garden where students grow.
Correct!
The correct answer is: metaphor
Examples
The poet metaphors the moon as a white balloon in the sky.
everydayThe writer describes the moon by saying it is a white balloon.
In his speech, the leader metaphors the country as a ship in a storm.
formalThe leader says the country is like a ship to show it is in a difficult time.
My friend metaphors his old car as a tired horse.
informalMy friend says his car is a tired horse to show it is slow.
Scientists often metaphor the human brain as a powerful computer.
academicScientists use the word computer to help people understand the brain.
The manager metaphors our team as a group of builders.
businessThe boss describes the team as builders to show they create things.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
metaphorically speaking
using a metaphor to explain something
an extended metaphor
a metaphor that continues for a long time
a mixed metaphor
using two different metaphors that do not fit together
Often Confused With
A simile uses 'like' or 'as' to compare things, while a metaphor says one thing IS another.
Usage Notes
While 'metaphor' is almost always used as a noun, using it as a verb is a creative way to describe the act of making a comparison. It is most common in literary or academic discussions.
Common Mistakes
Do not use 'like' or 'as' when you want to metaphor something; that would be a simile.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Meta-Phone': You are calling one thing by another thing's name to send a message.
Word Origin
From the Greek word 'metapherein', which means 'to carry across' or 'to transfer'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Metaphors change between cultures; for example, Western cultures often metaphor time as money that can be 'spent'.
Quick Quiz
The teacher tried to ____ the classroom as a garden where students grow.
Correct!
The correct answer is: metaphor
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
unknown
A1A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.
of
A1A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.
in
A1A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.
it
A1A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.
on
A1A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.
as
A1A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.
this
A1Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.
by
A1A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.
we
A1The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.
or
A1A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.
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