Simile

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Simile

A Simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things. The simile is usually in a phrase that begins with "as" or "like". This is different from a metaphor, which is also a comparison but one says something is something else.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Similes are a form of metaphor that explicitly use connecting words (such as like, as, so, than, or various verbs such as resemble), though these specific words are not always necessary. While similes are mainly used in forms of poetry that compare the inanimate and the living, there are also terms in which similes and personifications are used for humorous purposes and comparison.

Usage[edit | edit source]

Similes are used extensively in British comedy, notably in the slapstick era of Laurel and Hardy and The Marx Brothers. A simile is often used to make the comparison more vivid or to draw a more vivid picture in the mind of the reader. In comedic situations, the simile is often used in a hyperbole.

Examples[edit | edit source]

Similes are used in literature to convey a vivid image or to compare two things in a way that is easily understood. Some examples of similes in literature include:

  • "He is as brave as a lion"
  • "She is as gentle as a dove"
  • "They fought like cats and dogs"

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


External links[edit | edit source]

Simile Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD