noun
simile
SIM-uh-lee
Simile (noun) means a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using a linking word such as 'like' or 'as', in order to make a description more vivid. Example: “'She fought like a lion' is a simile.”
noun
1
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using a linking word such as 'like' or 'as', in order to make a description more vivid.
"'She fought like a lion' is a simile."
"The poem opens with a simile comparing grief to a locked room."
2
The use of such comparisons as a technique in writing or speech.
"His prose leans heavily on simile, sometimes three to a sentence."
How to use simile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA way of describing something by saying it is like something else.
When to use it
Standard, common in schoolwork and literary criticism.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
extended simile
epic simile
a simile for
use a simile
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'She fought like a lion' is a _____.
Etymology
From Latin 'simile', the neuter of 'similis' meaning 'like, similar'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for simile
See all rhymes for simile →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
A simile says one thing is like another and keeps the comparison explicit with 'like' or 'as': 'her voice was like gravel'. A metaphor states the identity directly with no linking word: 'her voice was gravel'. Both compare unlike things; only the simile signposts that it is a comparison.
Does every simile have to use 'like' or 'as'?
Almost always, but a few other constructions count too, such as 'than' ('colder than a stone'), 'as if', and 'resembles'. The test is whether the comparison is stated openly rather than implied.
Can a simile be a cliche?
Yes. Phrases such as 'as cold as ice' or 'like a bull in a china shop' are similes that have been used so often they no longer create a fresh image. Good writing usually reaches for an unexpected comparison instead.
What is the meaning of simile?
"simile" (noun) means a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using a linking word such as 'like' or 'as', in order to make a description more vivid.
