- Definition
A metaphor is a way of describing something by saying it *is* something else, even though it's not literally true, to help you understand it better (like saying "time is money").
The sentence 'Her voice is music to my ears' is a metaphor because her voice isn't literally music.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A metaphor is like saying your blanket is a secret fort — it's not really a fort, but you're pretending it is to show what it's like.
Ask your child: If your friend is a ray of sunshine, what does that tell you about them?
Common mix-up: Kids often confuse metaphors with similes, which use 'like' or 'as.' A metaphor makes a stronger comparison by saying something *is* something else.
Examples
- Calling a messy room 'a disaster zone' is a metaphor.
- Saying 'He is a night owl' means he stays up late, not that he is a real bird.
metaphor is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
