# metonym

/ˈmɛtənɪm/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/metonym
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

a word used to stand for something else that it is closely related to. For example, you might say 'the crown' when you really mean the king or queen.

For teachers: a word, name, or expression used as a substitute for something else with which it is closely associated. Often involves using a part, an attribute, or a related concept to represent the whole entity.

## Examples

- The word 'suit' is a common metonym for a business executive.
- In political journalism, 'Washington' is frequently used as a metonym for the United States federal government.
- The poet employs 'the pen' as a metonym for the written word, contrasting its enduring intellectual influence against the physical coercion represented by 'the sword'.

## Pitfalls

- Not "using a metonymy" but "using a metonym" — Learners often confuse the figure of speech (metonymy) with the specific word itself (metonym).

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in literary analysis and linguistics to describe figurative language.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.