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Metaphor

What is Metaphor? – Definition

A metaphor is a way of describing something by saying it is something else that has similar qualities. It’s not meant to be taken literally but helps to create a vivid image or make a point.

Illustration of a metaphor in use

Generated Metaphor Examples

Simple Metaphor Examples

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Examples of Metaphors

  • favorite My mom has a heart of gold. edit content_copy
  • nightlight My friend’s sister is a night owl. edit content_copy
  • ac_unit My hands were icicles because of the cold weather. edit content_copy
  • lock He has a stone heart. edit content_copy
  • spa She was an autumn leaf. edit content_copy
  • access_time Time is a thief. edit content_copy
  • theater_comedy The world is a stage. edit content_copy
  • music_note Her voice is music to his ears. edit content_copy
  • music_note He is the black sheep of the family. edit content_copy
  • sync Life is a rollercoaster. edit content_copy
  • pets He is a lion when he comes to the field. edit content_copy
  • flare She is such a firecracker. edit content_copy
  • wb_sunny His smile was a ray of sunshine. edit content_copy
  • local_fire_department Her words were a burning fire. edit content_copy
  • cloud He has a head full of clouds. edit content_copy
  • camera_alt The camera was his eye. edit content_copy
  • schedule The clock ticked away life’s moments. edit content_copy
  • filter_center_focus The mirror reflects the soul. edit content_copy
  • directions The road ahead was unclear. edit content_copy
  • brightness_5 The sunset was a beautiful end. edit content_copy
  • memory His mind is a steel trap. edit content_copy
  • business_center The city is a jungle. edit content_copy
  • apartment The classroom was a zoo. edit content_copy
  • emoji_nature Her smile was the sun. edit content_copy
  • gesture Life is a dance. edit content_copy
  • directions_boat Life is a journey through uncharted waters. edit content_copy
  • anchor She was an anchor in the storm. edit content_copy
  • visibility His eyes were windows to his soul. edit content_copy
  • terrain She was a mountain of patience. edit content_copy
  • flash_on His temper was a lightning bolt. edit content_copy

Types of Metaphors

Standard Metaphors

A straightforward comparison between two unrelated things without using “like” or “as”.

  • check_circle Time is a thief. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The world is a stage. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Her voice is music to his ears. edit content_copy
  • check_circle He is the black sheep of the family. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Life is a rollercoaster. edit content_copy

Implied Metaphors

A metaphor that indirectly compares two things without explicitly stating the comparison.

  • check_circle The storm lunged at the boat. edit content_copy
  • check_circle His words stabbed her heart. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The light was a warm blanket. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Her voice is a melody. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Time marches on. edit content_copy

Extended Metaphors

A metaphor that extends over several lines or throughout an entire work.

  • check_circle Life is a rollercoaster of emotions. edit content_copy
  • check_circle His career was a winding road. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The mountain was a challenge. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The garden was his refuge. edit content_copy
  • check_circle His mind is a labyrinth. edit content_copy

Dead Metaphors

A metaphor that has been used so often it has lost its original impact.

  • check_circle Time is running out. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The foot of the mountain. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The arm of the chair. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The heart of the city. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The eye of the storm. edit content_copy

Mixed Metaphors

Combining two or more incompatible metaphors, often resulting in a humorous or confusing image.

  • check_circle We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it. edit content_copy
  • check_circle It’s not rocket surgery. edit content_copy
  • check_circle We’ll cross that bridge when we get to the point of no return. edit content_copy
  • check_circle He kicked the bucket of opportunity. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Don’t count your chickens before they hatch the plan. edit content_copy

Absolute Metaphors

Metaphors that create a strong, clear, and direct comparison without any ambiguity.

  • check_circle Her smile was the sun. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The classroom was a zoo. edit content_copy
  • check_circle His mind is a steel trap. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The city is a jungle. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Life is a dance. edit content_copy

Visual Metaphors

Metaphors that create images or visuals in the reader’s mind.

  • check_circle The camera was his eye. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The clock ticked away life’s moments. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The mirror reflects the soul. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The road ahead was unclear. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The sunset was a beautiful end. edit content_copy

How to Identify/Find Metaphor?

To identify metaphors, look for phrases that describe one thing in terms of another without using “like” or “as”. Metaphors often highlight similarities between unrelated subjects, creating a vivid image or conveying deeper meaning.

  • search Look for direct comparisons that imply one thing is another.
  • highlight Identify words or phrases that create strong imagery.
  • compare Check if the comparison enhances the understanding of the subject.
  • visibility Notice if the comparison adds emotional or descriptive depth.
  • layers Look for metaphors that are integral to the theme or message.

How to Use Metaphor?

Use metaphors to enhance your writing by making comparisons that reveal new insights or add emotional depth. Ensure your metaphors are clear and relevant to the subject, avoiding mixed or clichéd expressions for greater impact.

  • create Choose comparisons that resonate with your audience.
  • brush Use vivid and specific imagery to make your metaphor stand out.
  • build Integrate metaphors seamlessly into your narrative or argument.
  • lightbulb Ensure the metaphor enhances the reader’s understanding or emotional response.
  • update Avoid overusing metaphors to maintain their effectiveness.

Types of Metaphors

Standard Metaphors

A straightforward comparison between two unrelated things without using “like” or “as”.

  • check_circle Time is a thief. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The world is a stage. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Her voice is music to his ears. edit content_copy
  • check_circle He is the black sheep of the family. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Life is a rollercoaster. edit content_copy

Implied Metaphors

A metaphor that indirectly compares two things without explicitly stating the comparison.

  • check_circle The storm lunged at the boat. edit content_copy
  • check_circle His words stabbed her heart. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The light was a warm blanket. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Her voice is a melody. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Time marches on. edit content_copy

Extended Metaphors

A metaphor that extends over several lines or throughout an entire work.

  • check_circle Life is a rollercoaster of emotions. edit content_copy
  • check_circle His career was a winding road. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The mountain was a challenge. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The garden was his refuge. edit content_copy
  • check_circle His mind is a labyrinth. edit content_copy

Dead Metaphors

A metaphor that has been used so often it has lost its original impact.

  • check_circle Time is running out. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The foot of the mountain. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The arm of the chair. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The heart of the city. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The eye of the storm. edit content_copy

Mixed Metaphors

Combining two or more incompatible metaphors, often resulting in a humorous or confusing image.

  • check_circle We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it. edit content_copy
  • check_circle It’s not rocket surgery. edit content_copy
  • check_circle We’ll cross that bridge when we get to the point of no return. edit content_copy
  • check_circle He kicked the bucket of opportunity. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Don’t count your chickens before they hatch the plan. edit content_copy

Absolute Metaphors

Metaphors that create a strong, clear, and direct comparison without any ambiguity.

  • check_circle Her smile was the sun. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The classroom was a zoo. edit content_copy
  • check_circle His mind is a steel trap. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The city is a jungle. edit content_copy
  • check_circle Life is a dance. edit content_copy

Visual Metaphors

Metaphors that create images or visuals in the reader’s mind.

  • check_circle The camera was his eye. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The clock ticked away life’s moments. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The mirror reflects the soul. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The road ahead was unclear. edit content_copy
  • check_circle The sunset was a beautiful end. edit content_copy

Explore Other Literary Devices

emoji_objects Allegory format_quote Alliteration insert_comment Allusion swap_horiz Analogy repeat Anaphora info Anecdote whatshot Antagonist arrow_forward Antecedent swap_vert Antithesis star Archetype music_note Assonance beenhere Cliché record_voice_over Colloquialism verified Content Validity edit Context launch Deus ex Machina language Diction music_off Dissonance loop Double Entendre clear Double Negative comment Epigram input Epilogue repeat_one Epistrophe badge Epithet healing Euphemism event_note Exposition warning Fallacy brush Figurative Language gesture Figure of Speech history Flashback face Foil Character block Gaslighting gesture Gerund gesture Gerund Phrase note Haiku warning Hamartia flash_on Hyperbole gesture Idiom image Imagery sentiment_neutral Irony code Jargon compare_arrows Juxtaposition music_note Limerick thumb_down Litotes favorite_border Love Language directions Metonymy sentiment_neutral Mood in Literature pattern Motif compare Non sequiturs music_note Onomatopoeia sports_martial_arts Oxymoron speed Pacing autorenew Paradox swap_calls Parallel Structure repeat Parallelism sentiment_satisfied Pathos sync Peripeteia person Persona emoji_nature Personification timeline Plot visibility Point of View campaign Propaganda person_outline Protagonist tag_faces Pun repeat_one Repetition forum Rhetorical Context emoji_emotions Rizz mood_bad Sarcasm sentiment_dissatisfied Satire place Setting gesture Simile gesture Metaphor subject Simple Subject record_voice_over Soliloquy music_video Story Beat subtitles Subplot textsms Subtext gesture Symbolism directions_boat Synecdoche style Theme volume_up Tone

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a metaphor?

    A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated things by stating one is the other, enhancing understanding or creating vivid imagery.

  • How does a metaphor differ from a simile?

    Unlike similes, which use “like” or “as” for comparisons, metaphors state that one thing is another, creating a more direct and impactful connection between the two.

  • Why are metaphors important in writing?

    Metaphors enrich writing by adding depth and creativity, making descriptions more engaging and helping readers visualize concepts more vividly and emotionally.

  • Can metaphors be extended?

    Yes, extended metaphors continue the comparison throughout a passage or an entire work, providing a more comprehensive and elaborate connection between the compared elements.

  • How can I effectively create my own metaphors?

    To create effective metaphors, identify the essence of what you’re describing, find an unrelated concept with similar qualities, and express the comparison in a clear, imaginative way.