Language
What is A simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'. Phrases like 'as brave as a lion' or 'fought like a tiger' paint a clear picture by likening one thing to another.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains a simile.
Key things to understand
- 1It directly compares two things using 'like' or 'as'.
- 2Examples: 'as busy as a bee', 'sleeps like a log', 'cool as a cucumber'.
- 3It's similar to a metaphor but keeps the comparison explicit.
- 4It makes descriptions vivid and relatable by using familiar images.
- 5It's common in everyday speech, poetry, and storytelling.
Frequently asked questions
- What's an example of a simile?
- 'As light as a feather', 'eats like a horse', and 'her smile was like sunshine' all compare two things using 'like' or 'as'.
- How is a simile different from a metaphor?
- A simile says something is LIKE another thing ('brave as a lion'); a metaphor says it IS that thing ('he is a lion'). The simile keeps the comparison explicit.
- Why use a simile?
- To make a description clearer and more vivid by comparing it to something the reader already knows and can picture.