Metaphor: Definition, Distinction from Simile, and Examples

Definition

A metaphor is a figure of speech that implicitly compares two unlike things by stating one is the other, without using "like" or "as."

Metaphor vs. Simile

• Metaphor: "Time is a thief."
• Simile: "Time is like a thief."

Examples

• "The classroom was a zoo." (chaos)
• "She has a heart of gold." (kindness)
• "His words were daggers." (hurtful)

Function

Metaphors create vivid imagery, convey complex ideas succinctly, and shape perception by transferring attributes from the source domain to the target.