Simile

Figures of speech are expressions that use language to create pictures in the mind of the reader or listener. These pictures help convey the meaning faster and more vividly than words alone, allowing readers to use their imagination and understand more than just plain words. This is called figurative language.

Similes are a figure of speech. Metaphors are another type of figurative language. Though metaphors say that one thing is another, different thing, a simile says that one thing is like another, different thing. A simile compares two things that are alike in some way. To help you identify a simile, the words “like” or “as” are typically used.

Here are examples of similes using "as":

- as busy as a bee
- as white as snow
- as sly as a fox
- as cold as ice

Examples using "like":

- to work like a dog (work very hard)
- to smoke like a chimney (to be a heavy smoker)
- like watching paint dry (boring activity)
- to fight like cats and dogs

The better your imagination, the more interesting speaker and writer you will be if you use similes and metaphors.