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Definition of metaphorical

metaphorical

/ˌmɛtəˈfɔːrɪkəl/
met · a · phor · i · cal
Adverb:metaphorically
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metaphorical Lexical Profile

metaphorical Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Characteristic of or relating to a metaphor; figurative rather than literal.

Example

"When she said she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, she was speaking in a purely metaphorical sense."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for metaphorical

• Nearby Words

metamorphosis
metaphor
metaphoric
metaphorical
metaphorically
metaphysical
metaphysically

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the noun 'metaphor' (from Ancient Greek 'metaphora', meaning a transfer or carrying over, from 'meta-' meaning across and 'pherein' meaning to bear) combined with the adjectival suffix '-ical'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Metaphorical. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/metaphorical
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