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

Tadpoles become toads, and, in tales such as this one, metaphorical toads can be — whether through will, chance, or wishes — transformed into something else.

From Salon

Mr Ford said: "Originally Bagpuss was like your grandad, he was there in the metaphorical armchair telling you about his tales and adventures gone by."

From BBC

Public opinion polls have shown that the party’s metaphorical church is struggling and fragile; its pews are thinning.

From Salon

They have a badge on, whether it’s literal or metaphorical, but they’re guessing too.

From Los Angeles Times

The literal ones and the magical, metaphorical ones.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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