Which word would be used in a simile

Asked by: Prof. Titus West

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(65 votes)

A simile (pronounced SIM-uh-lee) is a comparison that usually uses the words «like» or «as»: «Me without a mic is like a beat without a snare,» rapped Lauryn Hill in the song «How Many Mics.» The word comes from similus, a Latin word meaning «the same.» A simile is different from a metaphor, in which the comparison is …

What are the 20 examples of simile?

Similes in Everyday Language

What is simile example?

Similes. … A simile is a phrase that uses a comparison to describe. For example, “life” can be described as similar to “a box of chocolates.” You know you’ve spotted one when you see the words like or as in a comparison. Similes are like metaphors.

What words are always in a simile?

A simile is a comparison between two unlike things that have something in common. A simile always uses the words like or as to make a comparison. A metaphor is a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that have something in common. The comparison is made without the use of like or as.

What are some famous similes?

Famous examples of similes.

21 related questions found

Almost all of us have used a simile in our daily conversations. Consciously or otherwise, this is one of the most commonly used figures of speech that has become a part of our daily vocabulary. Knowing about different similes can be beneficial, especially for aspirants of competitive examinations such as the IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, etc. To help you understand what this literary device is and how it is used, this blog brings you a comprehensive guide on the definition and examples of simile, along with the ways it can be used in a sentence.

Definition of Simile

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things that have similar properties or characteristics. Similes are often confused with metaphors, which is another different figure of speech used for comparison. The easiest way to identify a simile as opposed to a metaphor is to look for the words ‘like’ or ‘as’. Thus, the best examples of similes include ‘as’ or ‘like’ such as “as proud as a peacock”.

Importance of Using a Simile 

Similes are a powerful tool for making language more interesting, descriptive, and creative. Because the mind thinks in images and associations, similes can elicit stronger and more effective descriptions than adjectives or exact descriptions; they can activate linked emotions, generate new mental connections, and underline specific features. From common conversation to poetry, similes are almost required for creative expression.

How to Use a Simile in a Sentence?

A simile is generally used in a sentence to make comparisons between two or more nouns and this is done with the use of words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’. The general idea of using a simile with the word ‘as’ is by using a noun that is known for a particular quality. For example: as proud as a peacock, as busy as a bee and so on. A simile is a direct comparison of two like or unlike things. A simile helps your reader or listener visualise, understand and have a better conception of the quality of the nouns being compared. It makes it a lot more vivid and descriptive. In other words, it can be said that similes can be used to provide a mental image to your reader or listener.

Now that you are familiar with what simile means, we have compiled a comprehensive list of some of the popular examples of similes you must know about! Check out the following list of similes:

1. As black as coal
   Example: His face became as black as coal after being criticized.

1. As blind as a bat
   Example: My uncle is as blind as a bat without his spectacles.

1. As cool as a cucumber
   Example: While all of us were panicking just before the declaration of the results, Naina was as cool as a cucumber.

1. As brave as a lion
   Example: While fighting the war, the soldier was as brave as a lion.

1. Cunning like a fox
   Example: Don’t trust his words, he is cunning like a fox.

1. As cold as ice
   Example: The expression on her face was as cold as ice.

1. As busy as a bee
   Example: My wife is as busy as a bee in the mornings.

Like these examples of similes? Check out our blog on 50 Common Proverbs with Meaning and Examples!

1. As clean as a whistle
   Example: The maid has done a good job, and the hall is as clean as a whistle

1. As soft as velvet
   Example: I just love my new blanket, it is as soft as velvet!

1. As sharp as a razor
   Example: Despite being over 75 years of age, my grandmother’s mind is as sharp as a razor.

1. As white as snow
   Example: The clothes she wore were as white as snow.

1. As white as a ghost
   Example: Her face became as white as a ghost when she spotted the burglar in her house.

1. As fresh as a daisy
   Example: You still look as fresh as a daisy after finishing all the work!

1. As stiff as a board
   Example: I am sure that he is very nervous, he is standing as stiff as a board on the stage.

1. As proud as a peacock
   Example: She is as proud as a peacock after getting selected for the lead role in the drama.

1. As gentle as a lamb
   Example: My grandmother may seem scary to others, but she is as gentle as a lamb.

1. As bright as a button
   Example: She seems to be as bright as a button!

1. As strong as an ox
   Example: Although he has lost some weight, he is still as strong as an ox.

1. As hot as hell
   Example: How can you bear to go out in this weather? It is as hot as hell!

1. As tough as leather
   Example: My brother can help you in moving all this furniture, he is as tough as leather!

1. As bright as the moon
   Example: Her eyes shined as bright as the moon on receiving her birthday gift.

1. As thin as a rake
   Example: How can you eat so much and still be as thin as a rake?

1. As wise as an owl
   Example: This problem seems tough! You can only solve this if you are as wise as an owl!

Have fun with these examples of similes, and explore our exclusive blog on 50 Common Difficult Idioms with Examples!

1. As clear as crystal
   Example: She loved visiting the lake high up in the mountains, whose water was as clear as crystal.

1. As smooth as silk
   Example: Her voice is as smooth as silk.

1. As stubborn as a mule
   Example: It’s no use trying to change his mind, that man is as stubborn as a mule.

1. As silent as the grave
   Example: He knew something was wrong when he found his friends as silent as the grave.

1. As light as a feather
   Example: This shawl is made from very fine material, it’s as light as a feather!

1. As old as the hills
   Example: Her grandmother’s love story was as old as the hills.

1. As straight as an arrow
   Example: You can trust him, he is as straight as an arrow.

Similes Example in Everyday Language

You can use similes in everyday language and that makes you look as smart as a fox! You saw what we did there? Now let’s see all the similes that you can use in your everyday life.

1. As innocent as a lamb
2. As tough as nails
3. As shiny as a new pin
4. As hot as hell
5. As white as a ghost
6. As bright as a button
7. As cool as a cucumber
8. As cold as ice
9. As light as a feather
10. As sweet as sugar
11. As blind as a bat
12. As common as dirt
13. As tall as a giraffe
14. As hard as nails
15. As cute as a kitten
16. As bold as brass
17. As happy as a clam
18. As black as coal
19. As American as apple pie.
20. As big as an elephant.
21. As black as coal.
22. As blind as a bat.
23. As boring as watching paint dry.
24. As brave as a lion.
25. As busy as a bee.
26. As cold as ice
27. As cool as a cucumber
28. As cunning as a fox
29. As dead as a doornail
30. As deaf as a post
31. As difficult as nailing jelly to a tree
32. As dry as a bone
33. As dull as dishwater
34. As easy as ABC
35. As old as the hills
36. As pale as death
37. As for fit as a fiddle
38. As flat as a pancake
39. As free as a bird
40. As fresh as a daisy
41. As gentle as a lamb
42. As good as gold
43. As hard as nails
44. As heavy as lead
45. As helpless as a baby
46. As honest as the day is long
47. As hot as blue blazes
48. As hungry as a bear
49. As cheap as dirt.
50. As clean as a whistle.
51. As clear as mud.
52. As clear as crystal.

Similes in Classic Literature

Literature has some of the best usages of similes. From Virginia Woolf to Shakespeare, every famous writer and poet has used similes to accessorize their literature. Let’s check out some of the best examples of similes in Classic Literature: 

1. “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.”- Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

1. f reach.” — Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
2. “Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.”- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
3. “The water made a sound like kittens lapping.” — The Yearling, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
4. “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
5. Or fester like a sore— And then run?”— Harlem by Langston Hughes 

Similes in Song Lyrics

Many song lyrics have used similes in their lyrics to enhance them. Let’s check them out:

1. “Hit me like a ray of sun, Burning through my darkest night”- Halo by Beyonce
2. “Questions of science, science, and progress
3. Do not speak as loud as my heart”- The Scientist by Coldplay
4. “Shine bright like a diamond
5. Find light in the beautiful sea
6. I choose to be happy”- Diamonds by Rihanna
7. “If all it’s gonna cause is pain
8. Truth and my lies right now are falling like the rain
9. So let the river run”- River by Eminem
10. “I see both sides like Chanel
11. See on both sides like Chanel”- Chanel by Frank Ocean
12. ” Body Like a Back Road” By Sam Hunt

Similes in Advertising Slogans  

Similes have often been utilized in popular advertisements and memorable brand slogans. Take a look at a couple of old favourites. 

1. State Farm Insurance – “Like a good neighbour” 
2. Doritos Snack Chips – “Taste like awesome feels”
3. Chevrolet Trucks – “Like a rock” 
4. Honda Cars – “The Honda’s ride is as smooth as a gazelle in the Sahara. Its comfort is like a hug from Nana.”
5. Almonds Joy/Mounds Candy – “Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t.” 

The questions where one has to identify whether the given sentence is a simile or a metaphor are the trickiest. Thus, while understanding or going through the examples of similes, it is important to understand the difference between similes and metaphors. The latest understanding of the difference between the two- 

Venue comparison is made using connecting words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’ the sentence refers to a simile. Whereas, whenever a direct relationship is established between two things, the sentence is a metaphor in nature.

For Example:

• He seemed bright like the sun when I met him last. 
• He is the son and the sun of the family. 

The first sentence depicts the use of simile whereas the second one is a metaphor. 

Metaphors are considered to be stronger because they directly cite a comparison between things rather than just indicating that they are similar. On the other hand, similes are majorly used for comparison where the readers are assisted to understand a subtle connection between things.

Similes in Writing

Similes are a terrific way to spice up regular writing by conjuring up a vivid image with only a few words. Consider the following sentences:

• Adam walked across the room with purpose. 
• Adam moved across the room like a warship sailing into battle.

The first sentence is fairly uninteresting. The comparison in the second phase, on the other hand, allows the reader to imagine an old-fashioned vessel heading to battle: majestic, resolute, proud, and maybe dangerous. It portrays Adam as a commanding figure and suggests that once he gets to the other side of the room, he’ll be plotting something major.

Similes and Exaggeration

Hyperbole, or exaggeration, is frequently used in similes. Example:

• You are as sweet as honey. 
• You dance like an angel 

Similes concentrate on a single component of a comparison, preventing hyperbolic comments from sounding exaggerated. Consider the following sentences:

• Lora is a mean snake.
• Lora is as mean as a snake.

The first version is a metaphor, but it’s so straightforward that it comes across as sloppy or infantile. The second version, a simile, stresses the trait Lora has in common with a snake, namely, meanness. A figurative language is a great approach to spice up your writing by adding intrigue and images. So, the next time you’re having trouble coming up with the proper words for a description, consider using a simile that’s as flawless as a diamond.

Examples of Similes for Kids

1. As boring as watching paint dry
2. As busy as a bee
3. As clean as a whistle
4. As cool as a cucumber
5. As cunning as a fox
6. As dead as a doornail
7. As deaf as a post
8. As difficult as nailing jelly to a tree
9. As dry as a bone
10. As dull as dishwater
11. As easy as ABC
12. As sick as a dog
13. As silent as the grave
14. As slippery as an eel
15. As slow as molasses
16. As smooth as a baby’s bottom
17. As snug as a bug in a rug
18. As solid as the ground we stand on
19. As sour as vinegar
20. As stiff as a board
21. As straight as an arrow
22. The breeze was gentle like a butterfly.
23. She danced lightly, like a fluttering butterfly.
24. You are as pale as a white sheet.
25. Your hands are as cold as the Arctic.
26. His mind is like an encyclopedia.
27. It was as light as a penny.
28. He soared like an eagle.
29. It was damp like dew in the morning.
30. He was as lost as a sheep.
31. She worked as hard as an ant gathering his harvest.
32. She was as prickly as a cactus.
33. The puppy wagged his tail like a toddler who just got a lollipop.
34. The children were as happy as a hog with fresh mud.
35. The burglar looked as sketchy as jelly with green fuzz on top.
36. As American as apple pie
37. As black as coal
38. Her teeth were as white as pearls.
39. She moved as gracefully as a prima ballerina.
40. They ran around, going this way and that, like leaves on a blustery day.

Examples of Similes Using “As”

The below-mentioned examples of similes all follow the “as___as” format: 

1. She was as sly as a fox 
2. That knife is as sharp as a razor
3. He’s as sick as a dog 
4. It was as big as an elephant 
5. He is as bright as a button
6. She’s as cold as ice
7. It’s as tough as an old boot
8. He’s as good as gold
9. It’s as dry as a bone out there
10. The car is as clean as a whistle

Examples of Similes Using “Like” 

Written under are the examples of similes using the “__like__” format: 

1. She eats like a pig 
2. She ran like lightning 
3. He looks like a fish out of water
4. She slept like a log 
5. It was soft like velvet 
6. Life is like a box of chocolates
7. It leaked like a sieve
8. It cuts like butter
9. The aeroplane soared like an eagle
10. The shark had teeth like razors

Read more about the Present Indefinite Tense: Meaning, Examples & Exercises

Simile Quiz 

1. Jesse is as sly as a

A. snake

B. fly

C. fox

D. elephant

1. My grandmother is as sweet as

A. vinegar

B. potatoes

C. a carrot

D. strawberry jam

1. That sidewalk is as slippery as

A. a pancake

B. glass

C. sand

D. bark

1. When school let out for the summer, I felt as free as a

A. bird

B. prisoner

C. dollar

D. bicycle

1. That fence is as solid as

A. a pillow

B. a rock

C. fog

D. an open window

1. Amber can run as fast as

A. the wind

B. an elephant

C. a turtle

D. a snowstorm

1. The road went off into the distance as straight as

A. a bowling ball

B. a cyclone

C. a figure-eight

D. an arrow

1. My mouth was as dry as

A. an ice cube

B. a shower

C. dust

D. a river

1. The night was as black as

A. snow

B. a sunset

C. coal

D. a flower

1. My grandfather’s mind is still as sharp as

A. an eraser

B. a dull knife

C. a tack

D. a pillow

Answer

1. C
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. D
8. C
9. C
10. C 

Simile Quiz PDF

Simile Worksheets

Both a metaphor and a simile compare two different things. The key distinction between the two is that a metaphor compares two things directly, but a simile uses the terms “like” or “as.”

Simile: She is as kind as an angel.

Metaphor: She is an angel.

Simile: Love is like a battlefield.

Metaphor: Love is a battlefield.

How Do We Use Similes in Language?

As we have previously learned, similes are comparison phrases that highlight similarities between two items and draw comparisons between them, always utilizing the terms “like” or “as.” We now want to know how to employ similes in writing, particularly in creative genres, and for what purposes they are valuable.

The main goal of employing similes in our writing is to enhance and produce striking images. Teachers and parents may teach students how to utilize similes using a variety of simple and efficient methods.

Here are some pointers for using similes in the classroom:

• Elementary pupils may learn about similes through poetry. This is an effective method to get people to utilize similes in their work.
• Show a scene from a narrative to your pupils. Ask them to point out a characteristic in the image that they can describe by making a comparison. If a youngster selects a picture of the moon, for instance, they can use similes such, as “The moon was like a face, currency, or plate.”
• Use an exercise like our Sorting Worksheet or Mystery Simile Animals for lessons on these literary forms to practice differentiating similes from metaphors.
• You might find it interesting to study the at least 1300-year-old Kenning figurative language in poetry or to look at some well-known simile poems. Shakespeare’s Sonnets, Robert Burns A Red, Red Rose, and Emily Dickinson’s “Hope” is a creature with feathers all include several similes and metaphors.

FAQs

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What is a simile?

A simile describes one thing by comparing it to something else using the words ‘as’ or ‘like’. For example, As fresh as a daisy. In everyday spoken English, we usually drop the first ‘as’, so the simile shortens to just e.g. Fresh as a daisy. Do not confuse these expressions with normal metaphors that do not contain ‘as’ or ‘like’.

List of 50 most common similes (with meanings & examples)

1. Avoid like the plague

When you stay away from someone or something as much as possible for negative reasons.

A: Did you do your revision?
B: No, I hate revising. I’ve been avoiding it like the plague!

2. Blind as a bat

When someone cannot see very well.

I’m as blind as a bat! I thought I saw someone I knew and waved at them, but it turned out it was a complete stranger!

3. Bright as a button

When you refer to someone as being clever.

Simon got a job at NASA. Bright as a button, that guy!

We can also use the noun bright button as in: My daughter’s a bright button. The opposite would be not the sharpest tool in the box.

4. Cheap as chips

We use this to refer to something very inexpensive. It literally means the item we are buying is more or less the same price as a portion of chips (or French fries as Americans say).

Happy days! Got these earrings for five quid in the sales – cheap as chips, mate!

5. Clean as a whistle

This can mean physically very clean and tidy or “clean” in the sense of 100% legal (not dodgy or against the law).

I’ve scrubbed the house from top to bottom. Clean as whistle now!

6. Clear as mud

Used ironically to mean something is extremely unclear in meaning.

I tried reading Dante’s Inferno the other day. It was about as clear as mud!

7. Cool as a cucumber

Used to describe someone who does not get easily stressed out. They remain calm even when under pressure.

Imagine your boss has given you and your colleagues a deadline in five minutes. You panic, but one of your colleagues remains calm. You could say that person is ‘cool as a cucumber’.

8. Daft as a brush

This is a funny expression from the north of England. It means someone extremely foolish and silly.

A: Did you see Steve wearing that massive hat down the pub the other night?
B: Yeah, that lad’s daft as a brush, mate!

9. Deaf as a post

This is similar to the meaning of ‘as blind as a bat’, but for hearing instead. It means when someone’s hearing is very bad.

I called Mark’s name three times, but he didn’t hear me. He’s as deaf as a post!

10. Drink like a fish

To regularly drink excessive amounts of alcohol.

One stereotype of Brits is that they drink like fish.

11. Drop like flies

A morbid simile. It means when living beings die in their masses (many die). This can also be used to say many people are ill or out of action.

Half of my colleagues are off work with flu. We’re dropping like flies!

12. Dry as a bone

To refer to something being completely dry.

I haven’t watered my pot plants in ages and the soil is as dry as a bone.

13. Easy as ABC

When something is very easy or simple to do.

I managed to do this week’s crossword in under 5 minutes. It was easy as ABC!

Similes with the same meaning include easy as pie and like riding a bike (about habits). In British slang, we can also say a piece of piss to mean something is very easy to do – e.g. That Maths exam the other week was a piece of piss.

14. Eat like a pig

To eat food in an unpleasant or messy manner.

I love my husband to bits (very much), but he eats like a pig sometimes!

15. Feel like death warmed up

When you feel extremely ill or sick. Like with food, the idea is that you feel like death (bad), but then reheated (even worse).

I got a really bad cold two days ago and felt like death warmed up.

16. Fit like a glove

When clothing is exactly the right size for you and fits perfectly.

I bought myself a new suit and it fits me like a glove.

17. Fresh as a daisy

To look and feel healthy and full of energy.

A: Heard you had a good one down the pub the other night.
B: Haha, yep. Fresh as a daisy now though, mate!

18. Get on like a house on fire

When people get on extremely well, have a lot in common, are good friends.

I haven’t known Diana for long, but we get on like a house on fire. We’re similar in many ways.

19. Go down like a lead balloon

When you or someone else says or writes something that is negatively received by others. This usually happens when someone tells a bad joke that other people find offensive.

I told my mum your joke about the nun and the toilet. It went down like a lead balloon!

20. Go out like a light

This can be a positive or a negative thing. Positively, it means when someone falls asleep quickly. Negatively, it means to lose consciousness or get knocked out fast.

I envy Kendra. I take hours to get to sleep, but as soon as her head hits the pillow, she’s out like a light!

Did you see the boxing match last night? Strong left hook and Khan was out like a light!

21. Good as gold

When you or someone else is very well behaved. This is usually used for pets or small children. For adults it is a bit patronising.

Your son is as good as gold. Mine’s a cheeky monkey most of the time! 

Brits often use funny names to describe kids and their behaviour. For example, cheeky monkey (naughty), silly sausage (messing around), Little Lord Fauntleroy (privileged, expecting others to do all the work for them).

22. Hard as nails

A person who is physically tough, strong, good in a fight. Can also refer to being mentally tough or resilient.

Alison is hard as nails. She didn’t even cry when she watched Titanic! (Joke)

23. Have a memory like a sieve

To be incredibly forgetful to the point when someone says something to you and a short while later, you cannot remember what they said.

A: Hi, what’s your name?

B: Alan

*5 minutes later*

A: Hi, what’s your name?

B: Alan…I told you 5 minutes ago!

A: Sorry, I have a memory like a sieve.

24. High as a kite

Intoxicated on drugs. Used when the person being described is “very high”.

I saw a homeless guy outside the supermarket the other day. I don’t know what he was on, but he was high as a kite!

25. Large as life

When someone has a big personality. Imagine a room and when someone enters, their presence changes the room’s atmosphere. This is considered a positive thing. We usually use the comparative form larger than life.

The party was a bit dull until Sarah arrived. That woman is larger than life!

26. Like a bull in a china shop

This has two meanings. The first is when someone is very clumsy and causes damage accidentally. The second is when someone is tactless and enters a situation in an angry mood. Here the word “china” does not refer to the country; it means the delicate material traditionally used to make plates and teacups.

How many plates have you broken this week? You’re like a bull in a china shop!

Don’t send Sally to smooth things over with the boss. She’s like a bull in a china shop!

27. Like a fish out of water

When someone is unfamiliar with their surroundings or is uncomfortable in a situation.

When I first moved to Spain I found it really hard to make friends. I felt like a fish out of water.

28. Like a red rag to a bull

If you do something that provokes someone or makes them very angry.

Jimmy stealing Ted’s chocolate was like a red rag to a bull. Those kids are always fighting!

29. Like chalk and cheese

When two people are completely different. Think the exact opposite i.e. salt and pepper or black and white.

I don’t understand how Rob and Julie are still married. Those two are like chalk and cheese!

30. Like taking candy from a baby

This refers to something being extremely easy to do, usually involving some form of manipulation.

A: I advertised my consultancy work as a “VIP service” and charged clients double.

B: Like taking candy from a baby, mate!

31. Like two peas in a pod

Meaning that two people are very similar to each other in either character, appearance or both. The opposite of chalk and cheese.

Tommy and Timmy are like two peas in a pod. Their names even sound alike!

32. Like watching paint dry

When something is very boring. It cannot be used to describe a person.

I went to see a cricket match on Sunday. It was like watching paint dry!

33. Like water off a duck’s back

Refers to a potentially hurtful comment or situation that has no effect on the person (because he/she is resilient or ignores it).

I’ve told my son off so many times about coming home late, but it’s like water off a duck’s back.

34. Mad as a hatter

Bonkers, mental, nuts…these adjectives and this simile are all synonyms for ‘crazy’.

Dave went out in a snowstorm wearing only shorts yesterday. That man is as mad as a hatter!

The simile Mad as a hatter has an interesting history! It originated in Manchester in 1829 in a part of the city famous for its hat-making business. This work involved the use of mercury, a toxic metal that can cause symptoms similar to madness when absorbed into the body through frequent contact over time.

35. Quiet as a mouse

A person who is very quiet or doesn’t like to talk at all.

Lucy doesn’t like meetings. She usually just sits there quiet as a mouse.

36. Regular as clockwork

When something is repeated regularly at the same time.

For some reason, I get a headache every morning at 10am for a whole hour. It’s as regular as clockwork.

37. Right as rain

To be perfectly healthy and well.

I had a meeting with my doctor and she said I was as right as rain.

You may know the simile As fit as a fiddle, which has the same meaning as the one above. However, this expression is rather outdated now. Be careful to only learn and use similes that are still popular today…like the ones on this list!

38. Run around like a headless chicken

We use this to refer to a person who is doing something in a rushed, disorganised and illogical way.

Daniel is really struggling as my Personal Assistant. He has no order to his day and is constantly running around like a headless chicken!

39. Safe as houses

To be very safe or dependable.

While some investments are risky, I believe BP shares are safe as houses this year.

40. Sick as a parrot

Brits use this when we feel highly disappointed in something or are physically ill.

I’ve been in bed with food poisoning all weekend. I feel sick as a parrot!

41. Sleep like a log

When you have a brilliant night’s sleep.

I slept for 9 hours last night and it was great. I slept like a log.

42. Snug as a bug in a rug

Think of the most comfortable situation ever. We use this simile to express that.

I was sitting in my comfy armchair with the rain outside, the fire blazing and a hot cup of tea – snug as a bug in a rug!

43. Stick out like a sore thumb

To be completely different from the crowd and therefore be very noticeable.

Everyone in the class had normal coloured hair, except Amy who dyed hers green. She stuck out like a sore thumb.

44. Sweat like a pig

When you are so sweaty that touching your skin feels wet.

I’m sweating like a pig today! It must be 40 degrees outside.

As you can see from this list, English has lots of funny similes. Another good example is: About as much use as a chocolate fireguard. This means ‘completely useless’. Obviously, the heat from the fire would melt the chocolate. E.g. A car in Venice is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard!

45. Thick as two short planks

This simile describes someone as being very stupid.

I really like Ross, but he is as thick as two short planks. He thought Rome was the capital of Croatia!

46. Thick as thieves

To be extremely close to another person or group of people. This is often associated with shared secrets and naughty behaviour.

John and Alfie are always getting into trouble at school. Thick as thieves, those two!

47. Tough as old boots

When someone is very strong either mentally or physically.

My granddad survived two world wars. He was as tough as old boots.

48. White as a sheet

This describes a person’s face as going unnaturally white when they are scared or ill.

When I jumped out from under the bed, my daughter went white as a sheet! She doesn’t like my daddy pranks.

49. Work like a charm

When something works out perfectly and better than anticipated.

When I first met my wife, I told her she had beautiful eyes. Bit of a cliché, but it worked like a charm!

50. Work like a dog

To work very hard, slave away on something, graft. Can be associated with exploitation when you work hard for little reward.

I’ve been working like a dog this past year, but I still don’t have enough cash for a decent holiday.

English similes: Exercises

Jessica L.
— ESL Tutor.

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Examples of Similes Using “As”

One of the connecting words you can use for a simile is as. Simply place it between the two things you’re comparing!

There are generally two ways you will see as:

• By itself.
• And in this pattern: “as ___ as….”

Here are some simile examples with as by itself:

• Jaylene brushes her hair as a cat grooms its fur. 
• My baby brother ate his ice cream as a pig eats its slops. 
• Her thoughts flew as a bird on the wing.

And here are some simile examples with “as ___ as…”:

• Greta runs as fast as a cheetah.
• The rain is falling as hard as hail! 
• You kicked that soccer ball as high as a skyscraper! 

Examples of Similes Using “Like”

The other comparison word you can use for similes is like. You can use it the same way — between the two parts of the comparison.

Here are some simile examples with like:

• He snores like a bear does when it hibernates. 
• They laughed like hyenas. 

The fairy lights were like twinkling stars.

Examples of Similes for Kids

Just because something has a grammatical name doesn’t mean it’s complicated. There are lots of similes that are great for kids.

For example, here are some similes with animals:

• He roared like a lion.
• She moves like a sloth.
• Quick! Hop like a bunny!
• Albert is as slow as a turtle.
• Penelope is as strong as an ox.
• Ruby grinned like a wolf.

Similes are valuable tools for expressing feelings and emotions, as well. Try some of these and guess where the connector word is:

• Matias is as scared as a mouse.
• They’re as hungry as a pack of lions.
• His heart fluttered like a butterfly.
• Her stomach felt like lead.

See? When you get the hang of it, it really isn’t that hard!

Similes in Everyday Language

You probably use similes in your everyday speech without realizing it!

Here are some examples of common similes:

• Marin was as cool as a cucumber when we were taking that test.
• You’re moving like molasses.
• Roger is as sly as a fox.
• Run like the wind!
• That bicycle is as light as a feather.
• I thought that question was as easy as pie.
• She’s as sweet as honey.

Similes in Classic Literature

Similes are a classic figure of speech – which is why they show up so much in classic literature!

Here are some famous examples from authors you might recognize:

William Shakespeare

• “She sings as sweetly as a nightingale. /… she looks as clear / As morning roses newly washed with dew.” ~ The Taming of the Shrew, II.1.
• “My belly is as cold as if I / had swallowed snowballs for pills.” ~ The Merry Wives of Windsor, III.5.
• “Her eyes, as murder’d with the view, / Like stars ashamed of day, themselves withdrew.” ~ Venus and Adonis

William Wordsworth

• “​​To some remote and solitary place, / Shady as night, and beautiful as heaven” ~ Vaudracour And Julia.
• “Fresh as a lark mounting at break of day, / Festively she puts forth in trim array” ~ Where Lies The Land To Which Yon Ship Must Go?
• “‘As sure as there’s a moon in heaven,’ / Cries Betty, ‘he’ll be back again.’” ~ The Idiot Boy

Homer

Homer was an ancient Greek poet who wrote several epic poems, including The Iliad and The Odyssey. And he’s given his name to a special kind of simile: a Homeric simile!

This type of simile is also called an epic simile, another type of descriptive language. But rather than just a few words, a Homeric simile makes the comparison over many lines; in that way, it’s similar to an extended metaphor!

Here are some short examples of Homeric similes: (All translations are by A.T. Murray)

• “Even as this serpent devoured the sparrow’s little ones and the mother with them—the eight, and the mother that bare them was the ninth—so shall we war there for so many years, but in the tenth shall we take the broad-wayed city.” ~ The Iliad, Book 2
• “And his eyelids wholly and his brows round about did the flame singe as the eyeball burned, and its roots crackled in the fire. And as when a smith dips a great ax or an adze in cold water amid loud hissing to temper it—for therefrom comes the strength of iron—even so did his eye hiss round the stake of olive-wood.” ~ The Odyssey, Book 9
• “And as a fisher on a jutting rock, when he casts in his baits as a snare to the little fishes, with his long pole lets down into the sea the horn of an ox of the steading, and then as he catches a fish flings it writhing ashore, even so, were they drawn writhing up towards the cliffs.” ~ The Odyssey, Book 12 

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump may not be classic literature, but it’s certainly a classic movie! And one of the most famous lines is a simile:

• “My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

Similes in Song Lyrics

Because similes are so useful for making comparisons, this figure of speech always comes up in song lyrics.

Here are some examples of famous songs that use similes:

• “Like a bridge over troubled water / I will lay me down.” ~ Simon & Garfunkel, Bridge Over Troubled Water
• “And it seems to me you lived your life / Like a candle in the wind” ~ Elton John, Candle in the Wind.
• “I’m like a shooting star / I’ve come so far.” ~ Tim Rice, Aladdin, “A Whole New World.”
• “Just like fire, burning out the way / If I can light the world up for just one day.” ~ Pink, Just Like Fire

Similes in Advertising Slogans

Similar to song lyrics, advertising slogans use similes because they’re short and to the point. It’s an easy way to convey ideas without using much space. Plus, it’s easy for people to remember them.

Here are some examples of similes in advertising slogans:

• “The Honda’s ride is as smooth as a gazelle in the Sahara. Its comfort is like a hug from Nana…Don’t be out in the cold like a wet pair of boots.” ~ Honda
• “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” ~ State Farm Insurance
• “Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee.” ~ Gatorade
• “Like a rock.” ~ Chevy
• “Tastes like awesome feels.” ~ Doritos

Ask yourself, is it explicit or implicit? Direct or indirect?

This is the difference between similes and metaphors.

• A simile makes an explicit, direct comparison.
• A metaphor makes an implicit, indirect comparison.

In other words, a simile is obvious, and a metaphor takes a little more thinking. Often, this makes a metaphor sound more poetic. But both are excellent for making descriptive writing more engaging.

When you’re writing, how do you differentiate between a simile and a metaphor?

It’s simple! A simile will use like or as, and a metaphor won’t use either.

Here are some examples of similar sentences where one uses a simile and the other uses a metaphor.

(Note: You can’t necessarily just get rid of the connecting word in a simile – you might need to change around the sentence or add something to it.)

Example 1

• The clouds, like cotton balls, hung in the sky. (simile)
• The clouds were cotton balls hanging in the sky. (metaphor)

Example 2

• Her thoughts were like horses racing down the track. (simile)
• Her thoughts were horses racing down the track. (metaphor)

Example 3

• Grover packs up his school books as quickly as a mouse grabs cheese. (simile)
• Grover was a mouse, packing his school books in a hurry and scurrying away. (metaphor)

There are different types of metaphors too, which you can read more about on the metaphor page of our site.

For example:

• George Orwell’s book Animal Farm is an extended metaphor, comparing farm animals to events in Russian history.

Conclusion

Are you as bright as a whip now that you’ve finished this article? Of course, you are!

You’ve learned how valuable similes are in the English language, the different types of similes, and how to use them.

Here’s the general rule: use a simile for explicit comparisons between two things. And to write a simile, use like or as.

Similes show up everywhere, from everyday conversations to classic literature. So when you’re writing stories or essays, practice using similes, and you’ll be a creative genius in no time!

For more great grammar articles, check out the other pages on this site. There are lots of exciting things to explore, such as examples of metaphors, alliteration, parts of speech, active vs. passive voice, and so much more.

We write to describe our feelings to the reader. We can’t impose a thrilling terror upon somebody by just saying “I was very afraid”. We can’t explain how disgusting a ripped shirt with oily stains can be with “it was very dirty”. When a direct description is not enough, we can play with words. For this, we have personifications, oxymoron, puns, synecdoche, and other figures of speech. But it is the simile that is the most simple, common, and efficient way to make your writing more imaginative.

What is a simile

A simile definition is very simple. It is a figure of speech that is used for comparing two things. When we make a comparison using a simile, we always use the words “like”, “as”, “so”, “than”, “alike”, or “resemble”. These words are important, as there are also metaphors and hyperboles that are aimed to compare things, but they are formed differently. So, the quickest way to distinguish a simile from other figures of speech is by paying attention to whether there is “like” or “as” in a phrase.

Simile, Metaphor, and Hyperbole

You can easily mix up similes, metaphors, and hyperboles from time to time. It’s not that knowing the difference between them will help you to use them properly, or it will have any impact on your daily life, but if you are a linguistics nerd (like we are), you might be interested in knowing how to distinguish them.

A simile, a metaphor, and a hyperbole are figures of speech that make your text more imaginative. The three of them compare things, and that is all they have in common.

These figures of speech have different forms:

• A simile compares something to something using words “as” and “like”.
  Similes can be short and extended—complete (e.g.: He acted like a pig) and incomplete (e.g.: Like a pig, indeed!). They can compare an action (e.g.: to sleep like a log), or a property (e.g.: dry as dust).
• A metaphor equates one thing to another without actually comparing the two (e.g.: He is a pig).
• A hyperbole exaggerates and can do it in any form, including a simile. That means a simile can be hyperbolic. For example, when we say “he eats like a pig”, we mean he eats very untidily, though he still uses his hands, and eats from a plate. So, his eating habits are not exactly the same as a pig’s way of chowing down. It’s a hyperbole, though by its form (as we compare two creatures with a “like” word) it is still a simile.

Simile examples

Similes are widely used in music, as they help making lyrics more imaginative and bright:

“And they say that alcoholics are always alcoholics even when they’re dry as my lips for years.” – Ani DiFranco, “Fuel”

“I wish I had a woman half as good and true
To keep out of trouble the way he used to do
Someone I can depend on, just like that good old shoes”
– Lyrics from the theme song of the spectacular comedy “Wag the Dog” by B. Levinson

“It’s been a hard day’s night, and I been working like a dog
It’s been a hard day’s night, I should be sleeping like a log”
– The Beatles, of course; a proper article on English grammar cannot do without them

A simile can also be used to make difficult things more comprehensible*:

1. Both Mitchell and Laplace thought of light as consisting of particles, rather like cannon balls, that could be slowed down by gravity, and made to fall back on the star.
2. Falling through the event horizon, is a bit like going over Niagara Falls in a canoe.
3. It is like burning an encyclopedia. Information is not lost if you keep all the smoke and ashes, but it is difficult to read.
4. The problem of what happens at the beginning of time is a bit like the question of what happened at the edge of the world, when people thought the world was flat.
5. Energy is rather like money. If you have a positive bank balance, you can distribute it in various ways.

*A short analysis has shown that an article of 3 pages written by Stephen Hawking contains on average 6 imaginative similes, and that is 5 imaginative similes more than similar texts of the same volume by Michio Kaku, Carl Sagan, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. No offense to these three, but that explains why Stephen Hawking won a Nobel Prize and was considered the brightest science popularizer of the epoch.

Similes are also widely used to create an ironic or sarcastic effect*, or to make a speech richer. To demonstrate these effects of the simile, we decided to use some help from a professional in both figures of speech and humor:

1. He just put the memories away, like old silverware that you didn’t want to tarnish.
2. Sam Vimes felt like a class traitor every time he wore it.
3. There were a few seconds for the troll to work out the spelling, a distant heavy thud, a sound like a swarm of hellish bees, and then a crash of tiles and masonry.
4. There were a dozen bedraggled ravens behind him, looking like old men in ill-fitting black cloaks.
5.  Vimes could see the clouds moving like snakes in a sack, to an endless sullen rumbling. “Night Watch” by Terry Pratchett

*Actually, there is one thing that is true both for a simile and for a joke. It’s better to have none than to have a bad one.

There is a belief that an article about similes should contain a list of common similes as well. Here you go:

~ As quiet as a mouse	~ As quick as a flash
~ As white as a sheet	~ As black as night
~ As blind as a bat	~ As alike as two peas in a pod
~ As big as an elephant	~ As black as coal
~ As brave as a lion	~ As busy as a bee
~ As clear as crystal	~ As cold as ice
~ As common as dirt	~ As blue as the deepest ocean
~ As stubborn as a mule	~ As cunning as a fox
~ As dead as a dodo	~ As different as chalk from cheese
~ As dry as dust	~ As easy as ABC
~ As free as a bird	~ As gentle as a lamb
~ As hot as hell	~ As hungry as a wolf
~ As light as a feather	~ As innocent as a lamb
~ As mad as a hatter	~ As pale as death
~ As old as the hills	~ As proud as a peacock
~ As poor as a church mouse	~ As quick as a wink
~ As plain as day	~ As sharp as a razor
~ As slow as a snail	~ As smooth as silk
~ As sour as vinegar	~ As steady as a rock
~ As straight as an arrow	~ As strong as an ox
~ As stubborn as a mule	~ As sturdy as an oak
~ As timid as a rabbit	~ As sure as death and taxes
~ As tough as old boots	~ As wise as an owl
~ To drink like a fish	~ As white as snow
~ To sleep like a log	~ To have eyes like a hawk
~ As clear as mud	~ As fit as a fiddle
~ As hard as nails	~ As silent as the grave
~ As thorny as a rose bush	~ As smooth as a baby’s bottom
~ As tight as a drum	~ As bright as the moon

But please. Don’t use this list in your writing if you don’t want to look like a 90-year-old English teacher from an Amish nursery. The similes above are as boring as beans, as common as mud, and as dead as a dodo. Your text deserves more than lifeless clichés.

Let’s try to work on it together. Think of 5 similes with “red as”, “white as”, and “beautiful as”. Write the second part for “eat as”, “walk as”, and “drink as”. Try another track. What can be “as a lumberjack’s beard?” Who can act “like a frightened koala?” Think of the most imaginative and unpredictable similes.

And remember, a simile should be as clear, bright, and easy to understand as rusty nails on a rainy day.