simile

noun

sim·​i·​le ˈsi-mə-(ˌ)lē 

: a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as (as in cheeks like roses) compare metaphor

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Simile vs. Metaphor

Simile and metaphor are both figures of speech used to make comparisons. A glance at their Latin and Greek roots offers a simple way of telling them apart. Simile comes from the Latin word similis, meaning “similar, like,” which is fitting since the comparison indicated by a simile will usually contain the words as or like. Metaphor, on the other hand, comes from the Greek word metapherein, meaning “to transfer,” which is also fitting, since a metaphor is used in place of something. “My love is like a red, red rose” is a simile, and “love is a rose” is a metaphor.

Examples of simile in a Sentence

But Dickens finds the unexpected detail, the vivid simile. Think of Joe Gargery in Great Expectations, "with eyes of such a very undecided blue that they seemed to have somehow got mixed with their own whites." Or, in David Copperfield, Dora's cousin "in the Life-Guards, with such long legs that he looked like the afternoon shadow of somebody else." —James Wood, New Republic, 14 Dec. 1998

After the internship year, doctors assume greater responsibility for directing patient care. Dr. Shockcor at West Virginia offered a homely simile: "It's like working in a factory, putting doors on cars. I'm now responsible that the doors get put on right, whereas as an intern I had to make sure I had a door in my hands and didn't miss a car going by." —Michael Harwood, New York Times Magazine, 3 June1984

“She's as fierce as a tiger” is a simile, but “She's a tiger when she's angry” is a metaphor.

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Recent Examples on the Web

This is what Thadeus loves: a test of his store of poetic similes, even if, these days, his poetry-writing is notional. —Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025

The simile is novel and yet the sort of thing a young woman would think; there is assonance and consonance seesawing across the sentence, which is slow and gorgeous rather than quick and thrilling. —Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024

These circumstances conducive to socialization are most obviously available for young people on athletic teams, but the sports simile is easily applicable to young people in marching band, theater productions, student council, volunteer and community settings and the robotics club. —Jeff Nelligan, Baltimore Sun, 4 Dec. 2024

Later, when asked about his evolution as a coach, Harbaugh described himself as open to change and used a mall-entrance simile to make his point. —Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin, "image, likeness, comparison," noun derivative from neuter of similis "having characteristics in common, like" — more at similar

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing simile

• epic simile

Kids Definition

simile

noun

sim·​i·​le ˈsim-ə-(ˌ)lē 

: a figure of speech in which things different in kind or quality are compared by the use of the word like or as (as in eyes like stars) compare metaphor