Simile
Elementary School
Definition
A figure of speech that compares two different things using the words "like" or "as." For example, "as brave as a lion" compares a person's courage to a lion's. Similes make descriptions more vivid and help readers picture ideas clearly.
Worked examples
"Her smile was as bright as the sun."
The comparison uses 'as' to link the smile's brightness to the sun's light.
"He ran like the wind through the field."
The word 'like' connects his speed to the wind, making the action more vivid.
Common mistakes
- "Her eyes were diamonds." is a simile → "Her eyes were like diamonds." is a simile Without 'like' or 'as,' it's a metaphor, not a simile.
- "She sings as she walks" is a simile → a simile compares two different things, not actions happening together Here 'as' means 'while,' not a comparison between unlike things.
- any sentence with 'like' or 'as' is a simile → a simile must compare two different things to create imagery 'I like pizza' or 'as tall as her sister' aren't similes—no figurative comparison.
Where you'll use it next
You'll use similes when analyzing poetry and fiction to understand authors' imagery, and in your own creative and descriptive writing to make comparisons memorable and vivid.
See also
Reviewed by Pat Cheng, M.Ed. — StudyPug Curriculum Lead · Last updated June 6, 2026