Analogy vs. Metaphor — What's the Difference?

A likeness in one or more ways between things otherwise unlike.

A symbolic representation implying a comparison.

A means of clarifying or explaining by drawing upon familiar experiences.

A term or phrase applied to something not literally applicable.

A relationship between two words or phrases showing how one is like the other.

An imaginative way to describe or symbolize something else.

A correspondence or partial similarity.

A figure of speech stating one thing is another for a vivid effect.

A comparison to highlight similar functions between two things.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. It may provide (or obscure) clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas.

Analogy (from Greek ἀναλογία, analogia, "proportion", from ana- "upon, according to" [also "against", "anew"] + logos "ratio" [also "word, speech, reckoning"]) is a cognitive process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject (the analog, or source) to another (the target), or a linguistic expression corresponding to such a process. In a narrower sense, analogy is an inference or an argument from one particular to another particular, as opposed to deduction, induction, and abduction, in which at least one of the premises, or the conclusion, is general rather than particular in nature.

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

A comparison between one thing and another, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison, as in "a sea of troubles" or "All the world's a stage" (Shakespeare).

A similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar

One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol

A comparison based on such similarity

The use of a word or phrase to refer to something other than its literal meaning, invoking an implicit similarity between the thing described and what is denoted by the word or phrase.

(Biology) Correspondence in function or position between organs of dissimilar evolutionary origin or structure.

A word or phrase used in such implied comparison.

A form of reasoning based on the assumption that if two things are known to be alike in some respects, then they are probably alike in other respects.

The use of an everyday object or concept to represent an underlying facet of the computer and thus aid users in performing tasks.

(Linguistics) The process by which words or morphemes are re-formed or created on the model of existing grammatical patterns in a language, often leading to greater regularity in paradigms, as evidenced by helped replacing holp and holpen as the past tense and past participle of help on the model of verbs such as yelp, yelped, yelped.

(intransitive) To use a metaphor.

A relationship of resemblance or equivalence between two situations, people, or objects, especially when used as a basis for explanation or extrapolation.

(transitive) To describe by means of a metaphor.

(geometry) The proportion or the equality of ratios.

The transference of the relation between one set of objects to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea.

(grammar) The correspondence of a word or phrase with the genius of a language, as learned from the manner in which its words and phrases are ordinarily formed; similarity of derivative or inflectional processes.

A figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

A resemblance of relations; an agreement or likeness between things in some circumstances or effects, when the things are otherwise entirely different. Thus, learning enlightens the mind, because it is to the mind what light is to the eye, enabling it to discover things before hidden.

An expression that describes a person or object by referencing something perceived as similar.

A relation or correspondence in function, between organs or parts which are decidedly different.

Proportion; equality of ratios.

Conformity of words to the genius, structure, or general rules of a language; similarity of origin, inflection, or principle of pronunciation, and the like, as opposed to anomaly.

An inference that if things agree in some respects they probably agree in others

Drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect;

The religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greater; language can point in the right direction but any analogy between God and humans will always be inadequate

Yes, if it's comparing two things to highlight a relationship, it can serve as both.

Analogies are often used to simplify complex concepts or ideas.

No, while both involve comparison, not all analogies are metaphors.

Not always, but they often aim to clarify or explain.

No, metaphors are figurative, suggesting one thing is like another for effect.

It's both; it's a metaphor because it states life is something, and an analogy highlighting life's unpredictability.

No, an analogy highlights a relationship or function between two things, often for clarification.

Writers use metaphors to add imagery, beauty, or emphasis to their writing.

Not necessarily, but they often require interpretation.

Yes, analogies can be expanded upon for detailed comparisons.

No, metaphors can be found in various forms of writing and speech.

No, similes use "like" or "as" for comparison, while analogies show relationships.

Yes, overused metaphors can become cliché.

Analogies are more focused on logical reasoning.

No, but they often bring out non-obvious or imaginative connections between them.