A metaphor and metonymy are the two types of figure of speech. Both of them are used in various forms of writings in order to make them more creative and beautiful. However, they are often misused in each other’s places due to just a little difference between them.
Key Takeaways
Metaphor vs Metonymy
The difference between metaphor and metonymy is that metaphor is often used for the substitution of two words. At the same time, metonymy is used for the association of the two words. In metonymy, the word used as a replacement has a similar meaning, whereas in a metaphor this is not the case.
Want to save this article for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own articles box!
A metaphor is known as a figure of speech and is often described as a word used that is used to express some other specific word. Metaphors are generally utilised in poetries, literature, songs, etc. however sometimes people confuse metaphor with a simile.
An example of a metaphor is ” chaos is a friend”. Here the word chaos is used as a metaphor for troubling times.
A metonymy is a figure of speech and is described as a similar word that is used to describe a particular another word. it is famously used in the writing of dialogues and songs. It is derived from the Greek word “metonymia” meaning ‘change of word’. People often relate metonymy with synecdoche.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Metaphor | Metonymy |
|---|---|---|
| Description | A word that is used to express some other specific term | Gives a different type of name to a specific word. |
| Origin | The metaphor comes from the Greek word “metaphora” meaning carry over. | Metonymy comes from the Greek word “metonymia” meaning a change of word. |
| Uses | Metaphor is used for the substitution of two words. | Metonymy is used for the association of the two words. |
| Uses in different fields | Used in poetries, music, literature, speeches, etc. | Used in writing the movie dialogues, poetries, songs, etc. |
| Examples | Kisses are the flowers of affection. | Silicon Valley used to refer to the tech industry |
What is Metaphor?
A metaphor can be described as a word that is used to express some other specific term, or we can also say that it is used as a symbol of something. It is a figure of speech.
Metaphors are generally used in poetries, music, literature, speeches, etc. they have the capability to make a simple writing way more creative, beautiful and descriptive.
It can make someone’s writing more imaginary and is also capable of making complex writing look easy and reliable. People often use metaphors to describe their views creatively.
When people use a metaphor to describe something, they sometimes use the phrase ‘metaphorically speaking’. This phrase is a way to let others know that they should not take that word for its real meaning. For example ” love is blind “, here the word blind is not used for its actual meaning.
Metaphor is often confused with a simile. There are different types of metaphor like the implied metaphor, the sustained metaphor and the dead metaphor. each of these types have their uses in various segments of writing like the sustained metaphor is usually used in poetries and songs.
Some famous examples are: “Chaos is a friend” by Bob Dylan, ” a good conscience is a continual Christmas” by Benjamin Franklin, etc.
What is Metonymy?
Metonymy is a figure of speech. It is generally used to define something that has a close association with it. In brief, it gives a different type of name to a specific word that is being talked about. The word metonymy said to be derived from the Greek word “metonymia” meaning ‘change of word’.
A metonymy enables the writers to use different words to describe something instead of using the standard terms. This helps them to make their writings more aesthetically creative. It makes them express their expressions and imaginations more descriptively.
Metonymy is famously used in writing the movie dialogues, poetries, songs, etc. since it makes them sound more creative and descriptive. Metonymy is often said to be related closely with synecdoche, which is a poetic device.
Some examples of metonymy are “Hollywood” which is used to describe a film industry, “Academics”, “Management” and many more.
Main Differences Between Metaphor and Metonymy
- A metaphor uses another type of word to describe a particular word, whereas metonymy uses a related term to describe a specific word.
- Metaphor is used for the substitution of two words. In contrast, metonymy is used for the association of the two words.
- A metaphor is used to make writing more creative, beautiful. Whereas a metonymy is used to make the script use different kinds of words rather than the usual common words to make it more descriptive.
- The metaphor comes from the Greek word “metaphora” meaning carry over. on the other hand, metonymy comes from the Greek word “metonymia” meaning a change of word.
- Examples of a metaphor are ‘ love is blind’, ‘ the snow is a white blanket‘. Whereas the examples of metonymy are ‘Crown’ that describes a place of a royal person, ‘Suits’ referring the business people, etc.
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=aUogAAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP9&dq=Metaphor+and+Metonymy&ots=gtFKnswHj-&sig=S-D-T6oXRtd5QvbUZXFsyd1PbE4
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=PpHlmd0P2FcC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=Metaphor+and+Metonymy&ots=O7Qe6zktbq&sig=6MWjHVRkcjSfp2ly7WAcnPphK_k
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
