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metaphor
noun [C or U] /ˈmet.ə.fɔːr/
/ˈmet̬.ə.fɔːr/ Definition
C2 an expression, often found in literature, that describes a person or object by referring to something that is considered to have similar characteristics to that person or object: 'The mind is an ocean' and 'the city is a jungle' are both metaphors. Metaphor and simile are the most commonly used figures of speech in everyday language.Figurative use of language
(Definition of metaphor noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
Focus on the pronunciation of metaphor
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SMART Thesaurus: Figurative use of language
Synonyms and related words:
- a metaphor for sth idiom
- allusion noun
- anthropomorphism noun
- as it were idiom
- fig. adjective
- figurative adjective (LANGUAGE)
- figuratively adverb
- figure of speech noun
- idiom noun
- imagery noun
- ironic adjective
- irony noun (TYPE OF SPEECH)
- metaphorical adjective
- metonymy noun
- mix your metaphors idiom
- mixed metaphor noun
- pathetic fallacy noun
- so to speak idiom
- symbol noun
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