simile

Everyday

1. A simile is a way of describing something by comparing it to something else using «like» or «as»: «as brave as a lion», «she ran like the wind». tree →
2. Similes help the reader picture something more clearly or feel it more strongly. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons pupils find and write similes in descriptive writing and poetry, and compare them with metaphors. Common similes: «as cold as ice», «as busy as a bee», «as light as a feather», «like a fish out of water». In stories a good fresh simile is better than a tired one.

Examples

• «As white as snow» is a simile. tree →
• «He ate like a horse» is a simile using «like». tree →
• Write a simile to describe the storm. tree →
• «Her eyes shone like stars» is a simile. tree →
• A simile uses «like» or «as»; a metaphor does not. tree →
• «The classroom was as quiet as a mouse» is a simile. tree →
• Try to invent new similes instead of using old ones. tree →

Note

Plural «similes». Say «SIM-ih-lee» (three syllables). Trap: a simile says something is «like» something else; a metaphor says it «is» that thing: «He was a lion in battle» is a metaphor. Not every sentence with «like» is a simile: «I like cake» is not.