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.

What is a Simile? At its heart, a simile is a comparison between two different things using the words “like” or “as”. It’s a way of saying something is similar to something else, to highlight a …

In English, similes are often made explicit by the word "like", as in "Odysseus is like a weasel", but the comparison in a simile can be made explicit in quite different ways, as in "the retirement of …

May 13, 2025 · A simile (SIM-uh-lee) is a comparison that uses like or as to describe something by comparing it to something else. Writers use similes for more relatable, precise descriptions.

Aug 12, 2023 · What is a simile? A simile is a comparison that uses the words “like,” “as,” or “than.” Similes are used to emphasize or exaggerate a specific quality of one thing by …

Jan 16, 2026 · Similes are a type of figure of speech that uses “like” or “as” to compare two things. They help make ideas more concrete by linking them to familiar images. In fact, you probably …

SIMILE definition: a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in “she is like a rose.” See examples of simile used in a sentence.

Jan 29, 2026 · Specifically, a simile is a common literary device that compares two or more items using “like,” “as,” or another comparative preposition. Also known as an “indirect comparison,” …

May 12, 2025 · A simile is a figure of speech in which two fundamentally unlike things are explicitly compared, usually in a phrase introduced by "like" or "as."

A simile compares two things using comparison terms such as like, as, resembles, and than. In writing, similes are used to express deeper meaning, convey complexity, and add appeal.