{"id":564468,"date":"2023-08-12T14:57:27","date_gmt":"2023-08-12T12:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.nl\/?p=564468"},"modified":"2023-10-26T11:34:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T09:34:20","slug":"simile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/rhetoric\/simile\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Simile? | Meaning, Definition & Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"
A simile<\/strong> is a rhetorical device used to compare two things using the words \u201clike,\u201d \u201cas,\u201d or \u201cthan.\u201d<\/p>\n Similes can be used to create vivid imagery or to draw surprising connections between two unrelated things. They\u2019re commonly used in literature, advertising, and everyday speech and are closely related to metaphors and analogies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Her phone buzzed like a beehive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The dancer was as graceful as a swan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Your laughter is like music to my ears<\/strong>.<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n A simile is a comparison that uses the words \u201clike,\u201d \u201cas,\u201d or \u201cthan.\u201d<\/p>\n Similes are used to emphasize or exaggerate a specific quality of one thing by comparing it to something else. Similes are effective because they \u201cshow\u201d rather than \u201ctell\u201d (i.e., they use descriptive language to convey an idea instead of stating it as fact).<\/p>\n The child moved through the room like a tornado<\/strong>.<\/p>\n His tongue is sharper than a sword<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The protagonist\u2019s<\/a> heart beat like a drum<\/strong>.<\/figure>\n Similes are commonly used in literature, speeches, advertising, and everyday<\/a> speech. They can be used to create vivid images and to make surprising connections between two dissimilar things. However, they should be avoided in formal contexts like academic writing<\/a>.<\/p>\n You look like your father<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n You look like a million bucks<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n I\u2019m as fast as you<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n I\u2019m as fast as lightning<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figure>\n Similes and metaphors<\/a> are both used to make a comparison between two unlike things. However, they have different functions:<\/p>\n Unlike similes<\/span>, metaphors<\/span> don\u2019t use the words \u201clike,\u201d \u201cas,\u201d or \u201cthan.\u201d Instead, they usually contain a form of the verb<\/a> \u201cbe\u201d to equate two things (e.g., \u201cyou are<\/strong> an angel\u201d). This is not literal but rather used to emphasize a specific, implied quality (in this case, \u201ckindness\u201d).<\/p>\n Mrs. Kennedy\u2019s eyes were diamonds<\/span>.<\/p>\n The moon hung in the sky like a lantern<\/span>.<\/p>\n The moon was a lantern<\/span>.<\/figure>\n There are two main types of analogies:<\/p>\n Analogies of shared abstraction are closely related to similes, but they serve slightly different purposes. Both draw a comparison between two unlike things, but while similes are typically used to describe something, analogies of shared abstraction are used to explain something or to make an argument.<\/p>\n \u201cA goal is like a compass \u2014it gives you a sense of direction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLife is like the theater<\/a> and we all play many roles.\u201d<\/figure>\n Many common expressions are similes.<\/p>\n You can test your knowledge of the difference between similes and metaphors with the worksheet below. Choose whether each sentence contains a simile or a metaphor.<\/p>\nWhat is a simile?<\/h2>\n
Simile vs. metaphor<\/h2>\n
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Simile vs. analogy<\/h2>\n
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Common similes<\/h2>\n
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\n Simile<\/strong><\/td>\n Meaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n I ran like the wind<\/strong>.<\/td>\n Very fast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n It fits like a glove<\/strong>.<\/td>\n Perfectly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n The news hit me like a ton of bricks<\/strong>.<\/td>\n Very hard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame<\/strong>.<\/td>\n With intense interest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n The children fight like cats and dogs<\/strong>.<\/td>\n Fiercely and often<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n The old woman is as fit as a fiddle.<\/strong><\/td>\n In excellent physical health<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n My brother is as mad as a hatter.<\/strong><\/td>\n Crazy or unpredictable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n The waiter was as busy as a bee\/beaver.<\/strong><\/td>\n Industrious or hardworking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n The package is as light as a feather.<\/strong><\/td>\n Lightweight or delicate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n The student is as sharp as a tack.<\/strong><\/td>\n Intelligent or quick-witted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Simile and metaphor worksheet<\/h2>\n