metaphorical
|met-a-phor-i-cal|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌmɛtəˈfɔrɪkəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌmɛtəˈfɒrɪkəl/
beyond literal
Etymology
Etymology Information
'metaphorical' originates from the Greek word 'metaphorikos', where 'meta-' meant 'beyond' and 'phor' meant 'to carry'.
Historical Evolution
'metaphorikos' transformed into the Latin word 'metaphoricus', and eventually became the modern English word 'metaphorical'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to carry beyond', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'figurative or symbolic'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or using metaphors; figurative.
The phrase 'time is a thief' is metaphorical.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41