metaphor
intermediateB2/ˈmɛtəfɔːr/ · met-a-phor
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
Meanings
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
ایک ایسا زبان کا طریقہ جس میں کسی لفظ یا عبارت کو ایک چیز یا عمل پر لاگو کیا جاتا ہے جس کا وہ حقیقتاً تعلق نہیں ہوتا۔
استعارہ
istaraah
Common Collocations
- extended metaphor
- dead metaphor
- metaphorical language
Example Sentences
Her smile is a ray of sunshine.
اس کی مسکراہٹ سورج کی کرن کی مانند ہے۔
Us ki muskurahat sooraj ki karan ki manind hai.
Time is a thief.
وقت ایک چور ہے۔
Waqt aik chor hai.
The world is a stage.
دنیا ایک سٹیج ہے۔
Duniya aik stage hai.
Easily Confused With
Word Family
See Also
💡 Memory Tip
Think of 'meta' as beyond or transcending, which is what a metaphor does with the meanings of words.
Imagine a bridge that connects two different islands, representing the connection a metaphor makes between different ideas.
✍️ Urdu Poetry
میرے دل کی باتوں کو، استعارات میں چھپاؤں۔
Mere dil ki baaton ko, istaraat mein chhupaoon.
I hide the words of my heart in metaphors.
— Unknown, Unverified
* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.
🗣️ Urdu Proverb
یعنی زبان کا چالاکی سے استعمال خوشیوں کی کنجی ہے۔
Yani zuban ka chalaki se istemal khushiyon ki kunji hai.
Using language cleverly is the key to happiness.
📖 Etymology
Origin: Greek "metaphora" — transfer, carry over
First known use: 15th century
The term 'metaphor' has its origins in the Greek word 'metaphora,' which means to transfer or carry over. It has been used in literature and rhetoric for centuries to indicate a figure of speech that involves an implied comparison.