Definition · Plain-language
Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as" to highlight a shared quality.
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How a simile works
A simile draws attention to a single shared quality between two otherwise different things, joining them with "like", "as" or a similar connective such as "than" or "resembles". When Robert Burns writes "my love is like a red, red rose", he highlights freshness and beauty while keeping love and the rose clearly separate. Because the comparison is signposted, similes tend to feel more measured and explicit than metaphors, guiding the reader towards the exact point of likeness rather than leaving it to be inferred.
Similes, clichés and fresh comparisons
Many similes have become clichés through overuse — "busy as a bee", "cold as ice", "fit as a fiddle". These are instantly understood but carry little freshness. Skilled writers craft original similes that surprise the reader and reveal something unexpected, as in "the fog comes on little cat feet". An epic or Homeric simile is an extended form that elaborates the comparison over several lines, common in classical poetry. Judging when a simile illuminates and when it merely fills space is central to using the device well.
When to choose a simile
Similes are useful when a writer wants the comparison to be clear and the two elements to remain visibly distinct. Because the connective word slows the reader slightly, a simile can feel more reflective, while a metaphor lands more forcefully. Similes also allow precise qualification: "she fought like a cornered animal" specifies the kind of fighting in a way a bare metaphor might not. As a form of figurative language, similes appeal to the senses and help readers picture abstract or unfamiliar ideas through something they already know.
Key facts
At a glance
- Definition: a comparison of two things using "like" or "as"
- Signal words: like, as, than, resembles
- Example: "the water was as smooth as glass"
- Contrast: a metaphor states one thing IS another, with no connective
- Epic simile: an extended simile spanning several lines
- Category: a core form of figurative language
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: Any sentence containing "like" is a simile.
Actually: Not every "like" signals a simile. In "he looks like his father", "like" expresses literal resemblance, not a figurative comparison between unlike things. A simile requires that two essentially different things be compared for effect.
Often heard: A simile is weaker or less literary than a metaphor.
Actually: Neither device is superior; they do different jobs. A simile makes a comparison explicit and precise, while a metaphor makes it direct and emphatic. Great writers use both, choosing whichever suits the tone and clarity they want.
Often heard: Similes and metaphors mean exactly the same thing.
Actually: They are related but distinct. A simile keeps the two things separate with "like" or "as", whereas a metaphor asserts that one thing is another. The connecting word is the defining feature of a simile.
