From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmetaphoricalmet‧a‧phor‧i‧cal /ˌmetəˈfɒrɪkəl◂ $ -ˈfɔː-, -ˈfɑː-/ ●○○ adjective 1 ALSIGN/SYMBOLa metaphorical use of a word is not concerned with real objects or physical events, but with ideas or events of a non-physical kind The word has a metaphorical as well as a literal meaning.2 ALSIGN/SYMBOLused to show that you are using a metaphor his need to escape from the metaphorical chains that held him —metaphorically /-kli/ adverb She was, literally and metaphorically, in perfect shape.
Examples from the Corpus
metaphorical• It is suggested that certain structures, which may appear metaphorical, are best treated as cases of underlexicalisation.• Verbal echoes and ambiguities may trigger off metaphorical associations that are not necessarily conceptually justified.• From its beginnings, writing about California has been a deeply metaphorical enterprise, a continuing and contested act of the imagination.• The literal and metaphorical juxtaposition of drama and game is what I want to explore here.• During the time of torture, such artists as Vera Sienra worked in the language of metaphorical mutilation.• I wondered if Venturi were just careless or if he is making some metaphorical point.• In single paragraphs of groups of sentences, Thoreau establishes metaphorical relationships between self and not self.• One could not hope to find a better medium for escape than a pair of metaphorical, spiritual wings. 