Trivia Time

Which of the following is an example of a metaphor?

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metaphor

American  

[met-uh-fawr, -fer] / ˈmɛt əˌfɔr, -fər /

noun

metaphors plural

1. a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”

2. something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.

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metaphor British  

/ -ˌfɔː, ˌmɛtəˈfɒrɪk, ˈmɛtəfə /

noun

1. a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action that it does not literally denote in order to imply a resemblance, for example he is a lion in battle Compare simile

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metaphor Cultural  

1. The comparison of one thing to another without the use of like or as: “A man is but a weak reed”; “The road was a ribbon of moonlight.” Metaphors are common in literature and expansive speech. (Compare simile.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• metaphoricalness
  noun
• metaphoric
  adjective
• metaphorical
  adjective
• metaphorically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• metaphors
  plural

Etymology

Origin of metaphor

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin metaphora, from Greek metaphorá “a transfer,” akin to metaphérein “to transfer”; see meta-, -phore

Compare meaning

How does metaphor compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• allegory vs. metaphor

Explanation

If you brag that "the world's your oyster," you're using a metaphor from Shakespeare, who knew a thing or two about figures of speech. Good writers know their way around a metaphor, where you make an analogy between two things to show how one resembles the other in some way. When a character from Shakespeare calls the world his oyster, that's his boastful way of saying that all the riches of the world are his for the taking, like plucking a pearl from an oyster shell. Shakespeare also wrote, "All the world's a stage." Oyster? Stage? Come on, Will, get your metaphors straight!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

metaphor metaphors

“He’s the one who questioned authority, fought for himself, refused to bow down or conform, and was like non serviam. That was a metaphor that resonated very strongly with me.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

"It's beautiful, it's like a metaphor," Apostol said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

But sometimes, those dark skies and unyielding downpour are a metaphor.

From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026

In the weeks since the Reflecting Pool’s makeover went south, many have seized what is a rich and slimy opportunity for metaphor.

From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2026

Nelson paused for a long time to wipe the ash from his face and puzzle over the metaphor of accessories and outfits.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Who can’t learn from the life lessons soccer offers — and I’m not talking about the obvious geopolitical metaphors?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Mr. Graham-Dixon has written a fine guide to Vermeer’s territory, but without a sure theological map, there are no narrative shortcuts between Vermeer’s motives and his metaphors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

Today there are more than 800–roughly the population of Tapanuli orangutans or wild Bactrian camels, but it’s too late to change metaphors.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

Perhaps you can see how the metaphors between the backrooms and the internet itself multiply from here: Like the backrooms, one can lose oneself forever in the internet.

From Salon ● Jun. 8, 2026

That supplies him with still other metaphors that can replace metadiscourse, such as moving together or cooperating on a project: The previous section analyzed the source of word sounds.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• analogy
• image
• symbol