met ‧ a ‧ phor ‧ i ‧ cal /ˌmetəˈfɒrɪk ə l◂ $ -ˈfɔː-, -ˈfɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
1 . a 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 . used 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.