What is

a simile?

definition and examples

A simile is a figure of speech in which two seemingly unlike things are compared, often using the words like or as’. Similes are useful tools in literature to create vivid imagery and evoke emotions, enriching the reader’s experience.

Definition

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Classic literature is rich with similes that have stood the test of time.  Here are a few noteworthy examples:

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“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë: Her eyes sparkled as bright as diamonds.

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“A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” by James Joyce:His heart danced upon her movements like a cork on a tide.

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“Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens: At the same time grasping the end of the poker between his teeth, and biting at it like a wild beast.

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Contemporary literature also offers many unique similes.  Here are some standouts:

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“The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green:My thoughts are like stars I cannot fathom into constellations.

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“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins:I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun.

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“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J. K. Rowling: Then, suddenly, Hagrid let out a howl like a wounded dog.

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Common Everyday Similes

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As fast as lightning

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As fresh as a daisy

As fast as lightning

As smooth as silk

As quiet as a mouse

As stubborn as a mule

As clear as mud

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As strong as an ox

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