What is a Metaphor?

A metaphor is a figure of speech, used to make a comparison. This comparison is done between two unrelated things, suggesting that they share common characteristics or qualities. Unlike a simile, which uses ‘like’ or ‘as’ to make comparisons, a metaphor asserts that the two things are identical or interchangeable.

For example, when someone says ‘The world is a stage’, it means that life is like a theatrical or stage performance, with individuals playing different roles.

Definition of a Metaphor

As per the Cambridge Dictionary, a metaphor is characterised as “an expression that is commonly used in literature to describe a person or object by referring to something that is thought to have similar characteristics to that person or object.” The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines a metaphor as “a word or phrase used to describe somebody/something else, in a way that is different from its normal use, to demonstrate the similarities between the two objects and to enhance the power of the description.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a metaphor as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them.” The Collins Dictionary defines a metaphor as “an imaginative way of describing something by referring to something else which is the same in a particular way.”

What is a Metaphor: We all use metaphors in our daily life. Popular ones like ‘Time is money’, ‘It’s raining cats and dogs’, ‘A piece of cake’, etc. are frequently used by people around us. But do you know what makes metaphors so special? What purpose do they serve? Even this question I just asked has a metaphor; ‘What is your North Star?’

In layman’s language, a metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not applicable. Metaphors are used to make language more vivid, expressive, and imaginative. Metaphors allow us to convey complex ideas by relating them to more familiar or tangible concepts. Today, we will be discussing what a metaphor is, how it can be used, how is it different from a smile, and some examples. Stay tuned!