Metaphor makes a comparison by equating one thing with another (as in "life is a journey"), or by creating an identification or fusion between two things (as in "burning desire"), while simile …

METAPHORICAL definition: involving, invoking, or intended to be taken as a metaphor, something used symbolically to represent something else, suggesting a comparison or …

Signs, signals and symbols (Definition of metaphorical from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

metaphorical adjective figurative, symbolic, emblematic, allegorical, emblematical, tropical (Rhetoric) The ship may be heading for the metaphorical rocks unless a buyer can be found.

You use the word metaphorical to indicate that you are not using words with their ordinary meaning, but are describing something by means of an image or symbol.

Definition of metaphorical adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 14, 2025 · metaphorical (comparative more metaphorical, superlative most metaphorical) Pertaining to or characterized by a metaphor; figurative; symbolic.

metaphorical, adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Something is metaphorical when you use it to stand for, or symbolize, another thing. For example, a dark sky in a poem might be a metaphorical representation of sadness.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025 met•a•phor•i•cal /ˌmɛtəˈfɔrɪkəl, -ˈfɑr-/ adj. using or described by metaphor: a metaphorical …