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Similes

The document discusses similes, which are figures of speech that directly compare two different things using "like" or "as". Similes are commonly used in literature, everyday speech, slogans, and song lyrics to make language more vivid and descriptive. Examples of similes can be found throughout classic works and in idioms that are now an ingrained part of certain languages. Writers are encouraged to use creative similes that go beyond cliches to effectively convey meaning.

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Marinescu Ramona
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255 views3 pages

Similes

The document discusses similes, which are figures of speech that directly compare two different things using "like" or "as". Similes are commonly used in literature, everyday speech, slogans, and song lyrics to make language more vivid and descriptive. Examples of similes can be found throughout classic works and in idioms that are now an ingrained part of certain languages. Writers are encouraged to use creative similes that go beyond cliches to effectively convey meaning.

Uploaded by

Marinescu Ramona
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things in an interesting way.

The
object of a simile is to spark an interesting connection in a reader's or listener's mind. A simile is
one of the most common forms of figurative language. Examples of similes can be found just
about anywhere from poems to song lyrics and even in everyday conversations.

Similes and metaphors are often confused with one another. The main difference between a
simile and metaphor is that a simile uses the words "like" or "as" to draw a comparison and a
metaphor simply states the comparison without using "like" or "as".

An example of a simile is: She is as innocent as an angel. An example of a metaphor is: She is an
angel. Do you see the difference? The simile makes a direct comparison, the metaphor's
comparison is implied but not stated.

Similes in Everyday Language


Similes are used in literature to make writing more vivid and powerful. In everyday speech, they
can be used to convey meaning quickly and effectively, as many commonly used expressions or
idioms are similes.

For example, when someone says "He is as busy as a bee," it means he is working hard, as bees
are known to be extremely busy. If someone says "I am as snug as a bug in a rug," they mean
that they feel very comfortable and cozy or are tucked up tight in bed.

Some other well-known similes you will often hear are:

 As cute as a kitten
 As happy as a clam
 As light as a feather
 As blind as a bat
 As bold as brass
 As bright as a button
 As shiny as a new pin
 As cold as ice
 As common as dirt
 As cool as a cucumber
 As hard as nails
 As hot as hell
 As innocent as a lamb
 As tall as a giraffe
 As tough as nails
 As white as a ghost
 As sweet as sugar
 As black as coal

As with a lot of figurative language, when talking to someone from another region or someone
not speaking in their native language they might not get the meaning of many similes.
Similes Add Depth to Writing
Similes can make our language more descriptive and enjoyable. Writers, poets, and songwriters
make use of similes often to add depth and emphasize what they are trying to convey to the
reader or listener. Similes can be funny, serious, mean, or creative.

Following are some more examples of similes regularly used in writing:

 You were as brave as a lion.


 They fought like cats and dogs.
 He is as funny as a barrel of monkeys.
 This house is as clean as a whistle.
 He is as strong as an ox.
 Your explanation is as clear as mud.
 Watching the show was like watching grass grow.
 That is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.
 This contract is as solid as the ground we stand on.
 That guy is as nutty as a fruitcake.
 Don't just sit there like a bump on a log.
 Well, that went over like a lead balloon.
 They are as different as night and day.
 She is as thin as a rake.
 Last night, I slept like a log.
 This dress is perfect because it fits like a glove.
 They wore jeans, which made me stand out like a sore thumb.
 My love for you is as deep as the ocean.
 I am so thirsty that my throat is as dry as a bone.

Similes in Classic Literature

Examples of similes can be seen in classic literature, such as in the poem "A Red, Red Rose" by
Robert Burns:

"O my Luve is like a red, red rose That's newly sprung in June; O my Luve is like the
melodyThat's sweetly played in tune."

Another example of a simile can be found in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. When Romeo
talks to Mercutio before the Capulets' party, he makes the following comparison about love:

"Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn."

Similes in Song Lyrics

Similes can often be found in song lyrics, as they let you convey deeper meaning with fewer
words. For example:
 My heart is like an open highway. - "It's My Life," Bon Jovi
 It's been a hard days night, and I've been working like a dog. - "A Hard Day's Night," The
Beatles
 And it seems to me you lived your life, Like a candle in the wind. - "Candle in the Wind,"
Elton John
 You're as cold as ice. - "Cold As Ice," Foreigner
 Steady as a preacher, Free as a weed - "American Honey," Lady Antebellum

Similes in Slogans

You'll even find that similes have been used in popular ads and company slogans over the years,
such as:

 Chevrolet: Built Like A Rock


 Doritos: Tastes Like Awesome Feels
 State Farm: Like A Good Neighbor
 Almond Joy / Mounds: Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.
 Honda: The Honda's ride is as smooth as a gazelle in the Sahara. Its comfort is like a hug
from Nana.

Get Creative with Similes


Similes are a great tool to use in creative language and are fun to come up with. They not only
make what you are writing or saying more interesting, but they can often intrigue the reader as
well. When creating your own similes, watch out for cliches though and try to go beyond the
obvious comparisons.

For a long list of common similes, check out the easy-to-remember examples at Simile Examples
for Kids. We also have great examples of similes used to good effect in poems.

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