What Is A Simile?
Defination, Examples & Practice
Exercises
An Exploration of Easiest Literary Device Known as Simile
What is a Simile?
Simile Examples
Simile Examples Using As
Simile Examples Using Like
Simile Examples in Poetry
How is Simile Different from Metaphor
Why do we use Simile?
Simile Questions
An Exploration of Easiest Literary Device Known as Simile
Let us start the exploration with a question:
........ is a figure of speech that makes a comparison using ''like'' or ''as''.
The answer of the above mentioned question is the possible definition of what is a simile?
As cool as a cucumber.
Swim like a fish.
Like two peas in a pod.
As light as a feather.
As sharp as a razor
We saw how the words ''like'' and ''as'' were used in the above sentences for direct comparison between
two things in order to depict the similarities between the two. This means that a simile tries to establish
similar characteristics between two things so that a parallel can be drawn between them. In other words,
simile can be understood as a figure of speech that involves the comparison of one thing with another
thing of a different kind, used to make the description more vivid and expressive.
This article deals with one of the easiest literary devices, simile often used in English. As we all know
that women look more beautiful after wearing ornaments, similar is the case with literary devices that
makes any piece of writing appear more beautiful, rhythmic and appealing to the readers. Now coming to
the main question, what is a simile?
Simile is a direct comparison of one thing or person to the other by using the words ''like'' or ''as''. In this
case, we are equating the characteristics of one thing to the other for direct comparison.
Simile Examples
1. Her smile is bright like the sun.
2. Rohit crept into the room as quiet as a mouse.
3. The cloud was fluffy like cotton candy.
4. The snowflake sparkled like millions of tiny diamonds.
5. He was as angry as a grizzly bear.
6. Samrat is as brave as a lion.
7. They fought like cats and dogs.
8. He is as strong as an ox.
9. She ran like lightning.
10. Grass was soft like velvet.
11. She eats like a pig.
12. It leaked like a sieve.
13. He is as sick as a dog.
14. It’s as dry as a bone out there.
15. The aeroplane soared like an eagle.
Simile Examples Using As
1. As dry as a bone.
2. As blind as a bat.
3. As easy as ABC.
4. As hungry as a bear.
5. As fresh as a daisy.
6. As free as a bird.
7. As hard as nails.
8. As heavy as lead.
9. As cunning as a fox.
10. As large as life.
Simile Examples Using Like
1. Sing like an angel.
2. Act like an animal.
3. Smell like a rose.
4. Shine like the stars.
5. Explode like a volcano.
6. Sweet like sugar.
7. Eat like a pig.
8. Soft like a lamb.
9. Shine like diamonds.
10. Magical like a fairy.
Simile Examples in Poetry
1. Your teeth are like stars. ( Your Teeth by Denise Rogers )
2. I can swing swing on this play gym just like a monkey. ( Sally’s Swing and Miss by Kelly Roper )
3. Like an old opera tune. ( A lady by Amy Lowell )
4. Like a diamond in the sky. ( Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Jan Taylor )
5. That now we are as the deer. ( Simile by N. Scott Momaday )
How is Simile Different from Metaphor
The questions in which you must determine if a given statement is a simile or a metaphor are the most
difficult. As a result, it's critical to know the distinction between simile and metaphor when studying or
looking at simile examples. Let us understand the distinction between a simile and a metaphor.
The sentence alludes to simile when connecting words like 'like' or 'as' are used to directly compare two
locations or objects. The statement is a metaphor when there is an indirect comparison between two
items. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly refers to one thing by referencing another for
rhetorical effect. It may clarify (or confuse) a situation or reveal hidden parallels between two concepts.
For instance:
Franklin’s heart is like gold.
Franklin has a heart of gold.
The first sentence is a simile, while the second sentence is a metaphor.
Why Do We Use Simile?
Similes are a fantastic way to make your writing more interesting, descriptive, and creative. Similes can
evoke stronger and more effective descriptions than adjectives or exact descriptions because the mind
thinks in images and associations; they can stimulate related emotions, develop new mental connections,
and highlight certain aspects. Similes are virtually always used in artistic expression, from everyday
conversation to poetry.
Similes are usually easier to spot than metaphors, but this isn't always the case. A speaker or writer may
use the words like or as without drawing any parallels. These are not metaphors. If I say, "I enjoy pizza,"
I'm expressing a preference for pizza rather than making a comparison. Similes always use words “like”
and “as” to show the similarities between two objects or persons.
Simile Questions
Create a simile by completing each comparison below:
1. As shiny as ………
2. As bright as ……….
3. Dazzles like ……….
4. Eats like ……….
5. Sour like ………
6. Soft as a ………
7. Drives like ……….
8. Hard as a ………
9. As large as ……….
10. Fights like a ………..
Complete the following Simile Using Suitable Words from the Box.
[bee, velvet, baby, diamonds, eagle, mule, bat, mouse, wolf, lamb, lightning, peacock, furnace, grass,
lead, feather, fox, cucumber, honey, deer, peas, egg, fiddle, rock]
1. As light as a ………………… ..
2. As sweet as ………………………
3. Her eyes shone like …………
4. As bald as an ………………… .
5. As cunning as a ………………… .
6. As blind as a ………………… .
7. It was soft like ………..
8. As busy as a ………………… .
9. As hungry as a ………………… .
10. As cool as a ………………… .
10. As steady as a ………………… .
11. He slept like a ………….
12. As quick as ………………… .
11. As busy as ………………… .
13. As swift as ………………… .
14. As obstinate as ………………… .
15. As heavy as ………………… .
16. As like as two ………………… .
17. As timid as a ………………… .
18. The airplane soared like an …………..
19. As proud as a ………………… .
20. As gentle as a ………………… .
21. As hot as a ………………… .
22. As green as ………………… .