Similes are one of the most common types of figurative language. You might remember them from English class.
In this guide I’ll cover:
- What a simile is
- How to write one
- Simile examples
- How they can help your writing
Let’s start with a quick definition.
What Is a Simile?
A simile is a literary device that compares two different things. The idea is to create a more vivid description. Similes are often used in literature, but you’ll also find them in everyday conversation.
Similes use the words “like” or “as” to compare two things.
For example, “Her smile was as bright as the sun” is a simile. It compares a smile to the sun to emphasize how bright it is.
Another commonly used simile is “as busy as a bee.” It suggests someone is very busy by comparing them to the industrious bee.
Simile vs. Metaphor
Similes and metaphors are both figures of speech. They describe something by comparing it to something else. But they do so in different ways.
Similes use the words “like” or “as.” Metaphors don’t use these words.
For example, “Life is like a box of chocolates” is a simile. “Life is a box of chocolates” is a metaphor.
Here’s another example:
“Her eyes were as bright as stars” is a simile.
“Her eyes were stars” is a metaphor.
Similes are typically easier to understand than metaphors. But both are great ways to make your writing more vivid.
How to Write a Simile in 3 Steps
Similes are a great way to add color and interest to your writing. But they can be tricky to get right.
Follow these steps to write effective similes.
1. Identify the Two Things You Want to Compare
The first step in writing a simile is to identify the two things you want to compare. This could be anything. From a person to a place to an object. For example, you might compare a person’s eyes to the stars.
2. Choose a Word That Connects the Two Things
After you’ve decided what you’re comparing, the next step is to choose a word that connects them. You can use either “like” or “as” to make the comparison.
When you use “as,” you usually repeat it to describe the two things.
For example, you might describe someone with a simile such as “as brave as a lion.”
But you can also use it in another way: “Her dress was bright as the midday sun.”
You use “like” when you’re describing the action or behavior of someone or something. Such as: “She swam like a fish.”
You can also use “like” to describe the quality of something. Such as: “He spoke like an expert.”
3. Make Sure the Comparison Is Clear and Easy to Understand
The last step is making sure your simile is clear and easy to understand. You want the reader to be able to see the relationship between the two things you’re comparing.
Here’s an example of what not to do:
“His hair was as wild as a raccoon.”
This simile doesn’t work because the connection between the two things isn’t clear.
Raccoons aren’t typically associated with wildness. The writer seems to be comparing a raccoon to someone’s hair. But it’s not clear what they mean.
Do they mean a raccoon is wild because it’s an animal? Or because it’s messy and unkempt? Or is the writer referring to a raccoon’s behavior? Or the way it looks?
This simile leaves too much room for interpretation. That makes it confusing for the reader.
If you’re not sure whether your simile works, try using a different word. Or rephrase it until it sounds right.
Why Use Similes in Your Writing?
Similes are a great way to add interest to your writing. They can also help you create vivid images in the reader’s mind.
Here are a few reasons why you might use similes in your writing:
To Make Your Writing More Vivid
Similes can help you create more vivid descriptions by comparing two things that are different but have something in common.
This can help the reader see what you’re describing in a new way.
For example, you might compare a person’s hair to the sun. This would help the reader see that the person has bright, shiny hair.
To Add Emotion to Your Writing
Similes can also be used to add emotion to your writing. By choosing a comparison that evokes a certain feeling, you can help the reader feel the same way.
For example, you might compare a person’s eyes to the ocean. This would help the reader feel that the person has deep, mysterious eyes.
To Make Your Writing More Interesting
Similes can also help you make your writing more interesting by adding variety.
If you use the same words and phrases over and over again, your writing can start to sound repetitive. Similes can help you avoid this by giving you a new way to describe things.
For example, you might compare a person’s voice to honey. This would help the reader see that the person has a smooth, sweet voice.
4 Simile Examples from Famous Poems
Similes are often used in poetry to create vivid images and evoke emotions. Here are four examples of similes from famous poems.
These examples show how similes can add beauty and emotion to writing.
“My love is like a red, red rose.” – Robert Burns
This simile uses the word “like” to compare the speaker’s love to a red rose. It suggests that the speaker’s love is beautiful and passionate.
“Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul / And sings the tune without the words / And never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson
This simile uses the word “with” to compare hope to a bird with feathers. It suggests that hope is light and delicate, but also strong and resilient.
“The world is too much with us; late and soon / Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; / Little we see in Nature that is ours; / We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!” – William Wordsworth
This simile uses the word “as” to compare the world to a sordid boon. It suggests that the world has become a burden and a source of despair.
“The night is darkening round me / The wild winds coldly blow / But a tyrant spell has bound me / And I cannot, cannot go.” – Emily Bronte
This simile uses the word “as” to compare the night to a tyrant. It suggests that the night is oppressive and frightening.
Conclusion
Similes are a great way to add color and interest to your writing.
By comparing two different things, you can create a more vivid description that will help the reader understand what you’re trying to say.
So don’t be afraid to use similes in your writing. They can help you create more vivid images in the reader’s mind and make your writing more interesting.