metaphorical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "metaphorical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is not literal but represents something else, often in a figurative sense. Example: "Her words were metaphorical, painting a vivid picture of her emotions without stating them directly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's an honest book about race, identity and the constant longing and nostalgia one feels for this metaphorical place called home.

The Guardian - Books

Your song Jesus, Take The Wheel is both a literal and metaphorical plea for Jesus to take over.

The Guardian - Music

(Argentinian tango is metaphorical in this instance, not literal).

The Guardian

You can see him falling on his metaphorical sword with defiant elan.

The Guardian - Film

Stephen tried to explain to me in metaphorical language what was going on.

The Guardian

Climate campaigners will point to a mismatch between the words and his ongoing support for fracked gas, but taking such an emotive position on the issue hands a very large metaphorical stick to campaigners with which they can beat their President if and when his actions fail to match the words.

The Guardian

Perhaps it was a bold, metaphorical design statement - a woman, uncertain of her role as wife, madonna and whore, expressing her sexuality by hurling the trappings of her repressed womanhood across the void into the 21st century.

The Guardian

But the passage is widely understood to be a metaphorical reference to the shape of the landscape.

The Guardian

But the photos had been deployed by Tevez as a metaphorical jab at Torino, when he posted them on Twitter earlier that evening.

The Guardian - Sport

Cue the metaphorical version of the female high school experience, some of it obvious, all of it fun: Jennifer the literal maneater – and her monthlies really are murder; the voraciousness of a young women's newly-discovered sexual/bloodletting appetites and the utter inability of the men around her to quench them.

The Guardian - Film

With heavy showers forecast for the road between York and Sheffield, there will many in the field hoping they do not get blown away as well, in the literal or metaphorical sense.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "metaphorical" when you want to emphasize the figurative or symbolic nature of something, ensuring it's clear you're not speaking literally.

Common error

Avoid using "metaphorical" as a generic intensifier; ensure it accurately reflects a comparison or symbolic representation, not just general emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "metaphorical" primarily functions to qualify nouns, indicating that they are understood in a figurative or symbolic sense, rather than a literal one. Ludwig AI confirms that "metaphorical" is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "metaphorical" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that represents another concept figuratively. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the word is frequently used in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using "metaphorical", it is important to ensure its usage accurately reflects a comparative or symbolic connection, rather than serving as a mere intensifier. Alternatives include "figurative", "symbolic", and "allegorical".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

figurative

Refers directly to the use of figures of speech; a more direct synonym.

non-literal

A straightforward term for something not meant to be taken at face value.

symbolic

Emphasizes the representation of something else through symbols.

allegorical

Suggests a story or narrative with a hidden, deeper meaning.

parabolic

Similar to allegorical, but implies a moral or spiritual lesson.

representative

Highlights the idea of standing in for something else.

tropological

Describes the interpretation of scripture or literature for moral lessons.

illustrative

Focuses on clarifying or explaining through comparison.

expressive

Conveys a meaning beyond the literal, often emotional.

imaginative

Focuses on the creative and inventive use of language.

FAQs

How is the word "metaphorical" used in a sentence?

The word "metaphorical" describes something that's not literally true but represents something else, like saying, "The politician's speech was a "metaphorical" olive branch to the opposition."

What words can I use instead of "metaphorical"?

Alternatives to "metaphorical" include "figurative", "symbolic", or "allegorical" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean if something is described as "metaphorical"?

If something is described as "metaphorical", it means it's understood as a symbol or representation of something else, rather than being interpreted literally.

Is there a difference between "metaphorical" and "symbolic"?

While both relate to non-literal meaning, "metaphorical" implies a comparison or analogy, while "symbolic" suggests a representation through established symbols or signs.