metaphorical
adjectiveUK /ˌmet.əˈfɒr.ɪ.kəl/
US /ˌmet̬.əˈfɔːr.ɪ.kəl/
Describing something by saying it is like something else, not literally true.
When she said her heart was a stone, that was a metaphorical way to say she felt cold and hard.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Relating to or using metaphor as a figure of speech.
The poem is full of metaphorical language about the sea.
3. Used to describe a situation that represents a bigger idea rather than a real physical thing.
The storm was a metaphorical warning about the trouble ahead.
4. Not meant to be understood in a literal way.
He gave a metaphorical answer that made everyone think.