ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›M›metaphorical
ISEE/SSATmedium
metaphorical
based on a comparison rather than a literal meaning
Synonyms
- figurative
- symbolic
- allegorical
Antonyms
- literal
metaphorical in a sentence
When the coach said the team was on fire, he meant it in a metaphorical sense.
Her essay explained that the river in the novel was metaphorical, standing for the passage of time rather than a real place.
Where it comes from
From Greek metaphora 'a transfer, carrying over'
Memory hook
META (beyond) + PHOR (carry) — carrying meaning beyond the literal.
Word parts
- met/meta — changed, different, boundary
metaphorical: meta- (across) + phor (carry) + -ical (relating to)
Read it in context
- Signals at the Table Social Science
Practice metaphorical in the app