Simile- Literary term

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Definition of Simile

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as.” Therefore, it is a direct comparison.

We can find simile examples in our daily speech. We often hear comments like, “John is as slow as a snail.” Snails are notorious for their slow pace, and here the slowness of John is compared to that of a snail. The use of “as” in the example helps to draw the resemblance. Some more examples of common similes are given below

Common Examples of Simile

• Our soldiers are as brave as lions.
• Her cheeks are red like a rose.
• He is as funny as a monkey.
• The water well was as dry as a bone.
• He is as cunning as a fox.

Simile introduces vividness into what we say. Authors and poets utilize simile to convey their sentiments and thoughts through vivid word pictures.

Short Examples of Simile in Sentences

1. The glow of the tube-light was as bright as sunshine.
2. In winter, when it rained he climbed into bed, and felt as snug as a bug in a rug.
3. At exam time, the high school student was as busy as a bee.
4. The beggar on the road looked as blind as a bat.
5. When the examination finished, the candidate felt as light as a feather.
6. When the teacher entered the class, the 6th-grade students were fighting like cats and dogs.
7. The diplomat said the friendship of the two countries was as deep as an ocean.
8. The desert traveler’s hopes were dashed, as when at last he reached a well, it was as dry as a bone.
9. His opponent was trying to infuriate him, but he remained as cool as cucumber.
10. The laborer remained busy at work all day long, and slept like a log that night.
11. The audience listened to his spellbinding speech as quietly as mice.
12. The young athlete looked as strong as an ox.
13. The student moved as fast as lightning after getting permission from the teacher for an early release.
14. The history paper was as tricky as a labyrinth.
15. The boys in the playing field were feeling as happy as dogs with two tails.

Example #5: the Daffodils (By William Wordsworth)

“I wandered lonely as a cloud
that floats on high o’er vales and hills.”

The poet envisions himself as a free cloud that floats alone in a blue sky above valleys and the mountains. By choosing this simile, Wordsworth describes his loneliness.

Example #6: Sonnet 18 (By William Shakespeare)

A significant thing to consider here is that, at times simile is drawn without using the words “as” or “like.” Consider the following example:

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometime declines”

In the very first line, Shakespeare poses a question if he should compare his beloved to a summer’s day. But then he himself rejects this idea and says that his beloved is better than that. This This is an example of an extended simile. is an example of an extended simile.