metaphorical

Also met·a·phor·ic

[met-uh-fawr-i-kuhl, -for-]

adjective

1. involving, invoking, or intended to be taken as a metaphor, something used symbolically to represent something else, suggesting a comparison or resemblance.

   Our foreign policy blunder has given the insurgents a metaphorical green light to engage in violent tactics in pursuit of their imperial ambitions.

Other Word Forms

• metaphorically adverb
• metaphoricalness noun
• hypermetaphoric adjective
• hypermetaphorical adjective
• nonmetaphoric adjective
• nonmetaphorical adjective
• semimetaphoric adjective
• semimetaphorical adjective
• submetaphoric adjective
• submetaphorical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of metaphorical¹

First recorded in 1560–70; metaphor ( def. ) + -ical ( def. )

Example Sentences

He's poured a metaphorical can of Australian beer over the novel by converting Tolstoy's prose into a lingo that wouldn't sound out of place in the popular Aussie sitcom Kath & Kim.

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He remained a symbol of resistance to Hichilema’s austerity measures—one reason there’s a metaphorical match being played over his literal legacy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This is a question being asked by millions of Americans on both sides of the metaphorical tracks.

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This is a question being asked by millions of Americans on both sides of the metaphorical tracks.

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Such language isn’t metaphorical for Gaines or her audience; she means it quite literally.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• allegorical 
• descriptive 
• metaphoric www.thesaurus.com
• symbolic