metaphoricaladjective
uk/ˌmet.əˈfɒr.ɪ.kəl/us/ˌmet̬.əˈfɔːr.ɪ.kəl/also metaphoric,Metaphorical language contains metaphors:
Her second novel is written in a very metaphorical style.
not having real existence but representing some truth about a situation or other subject:
A metaphorical ocean (= extremely large area of disagreement) lies between the two groups.
There is a danger that America's metaphoric "war on drugs" may turn into a bloody reality.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Figurative use of language
- a metaphor for sth idiom
- allegory
- allusion
- anthropomorphism
- as
- as it were idiom
- fig
- figurative
- figuratively
- figure of speech
- imagery
- ironic
- irony
- metaphor
- metonymy
- mix
- mixed metaphor
- pathetic fallacy
- speak
- symbol
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metaphorically
adverb uk/ˌmet.əˈfɒr.ɪ.kəli/us/ˌmet̬.əˈfɔːr.ɪ.kəl.i/
The phrase "born again" is used metaphorically to mean that someone has accepted Jesus as God and become a Christian.
By leaving school without any qualifications, she has, metaphorically speaking, shot herself in the foot (= harmed her chances of success).