extended metaphor

[ik-sten-did met-uh-fawr]

noun

1. a metaphor introduced and then further developed throughout all or part of a literary work, especially a poem.

   Robert Frost uses two roads as an extended metaphor in “The Road Not Taken.”

2. a literary work that contains an extended metaphor.

Word History and Origins

Origin of extended metaphor¹

First recorded in 1710–20

When To Use

What does extended metaphor mean?

An extended metaphor is a metaphor in a literary work, such as a novel or poem, that isn’t just used in one line but is extended over multiple lines or throughout the work.A metaphor is the applying of a word or phrase to something that’s not literally related in order to suggest a resemblance, as in She’s a walking dictionary (she’s not literally a dictionary, but her vocabulary resembles one).Extended metaphors use this kind of comparison, but in a drawn-out and often complex way. When an author uses an extended metaphor, they will keep adding to it, developing it, or making reference to it. This can occur over more than one line, over multiple paragraphs, or even over the course of the entire work.Extended metaphors are especially found in poetry and novels, but they can also be used in song lyrics, movies, speeches, and even nonfiction—anywhere metaphors are used.