simile of assignment

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Write a Simile

I. What is a Simile?

Simile (pronounced sim – uh -lee) is a literary term where you use “like” or “as” to compare two different things and show a common quality between them. A simile is different from a simple comparison in that it usually compares two unrelated things. For example, “She looks like you” is a comparison but not a simile. On the other hand, “She smiles like the sun” is a simile, as it compares a woman with something of a different kind- the sun.

II. Examples of Similes

Similes find, or perhaps create, similarities in typically different things. In fact, there may be no real similarity between the things compared, such a woman and the sun.

The image below describes a girl’s smile.

Using the sun to describe a girl’s smile gives you an idea of how bright her smile seems, you can just picture its radiance.

Consider this description of a thin man:

He’s as thin as a rail!

There can be no real similarity between a man and a rail. But, describing a man as “as thin as a rail” evokes the image of a remarkably thin man, as a rail is a very thin pole.

Consider a description of a graceful woman:

She moved like a deer.

In this case, the comparison is much closer; a deer and a person are at least both living creatures. But they are still different enough for it to be a simile. After all, if she literally moved just like a deer, she might be graceful, but we would also worry about her sanity. The simile is still figurative, because we’re just saying that she moves with some of the qualities of a deer, not just like one!

III. The importance of using Similes

Similes are an important tool that make language more creative, descriptive, and entertaining. The mind thinks in images and associations, so similes are used to make stronger and more effective descriptions than if only adjectives or literal descriptions were used; they can stir up associated emotions, create new connections in the mind, and emphasize certain characteristics. Similes are almost essential to creative expression from everyday speech to poetry.

IV. Examples of Similes in Literature

Similes give the reader a more vivid experience of the story, calling powerful images to mind.

For an example of simile in prose, read this excerpt from George Orwell’s novel 1984 :

He sat as still as a mouse, in the futile hope that whoever it was might go away after a single attempt. But no, the knocking was repeated. The worst thing of all would be to delay. His heart was thumping like a drum, but his face, from long habit, was probably expressionless.

This passage uses two similes: “as still as a mouse” and “thumping like a drum.” Comparing the fearful man to a mouse emphasizes both his stillness and his helplessness. Comparing a heartbeat to a drumbeat emphasizes its pounding due to fear. Similes create a much more evocative passage than literal alternatives such as “He was afraid” and “His heart beat hard.”

For a poetic example of simile, read an excerpt from Christina Rossetti’s poem “A Birthday”:

My heart is like a singing bird Whose nest is in a water’d shoot; My heart is like an apple-tree Whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit; My heart is like a rainbow shell That paddles in a halcyon sea; My heart is gladder than all these Because my love is come to me.

Rossetti uses simile three times in this section of the poem: her heart is “like a singing bird,” “like an apple-tree,” and “like a rainbow shell.” Rossetti compares the heart to a joyful bird in a full nest, an apple tree full of fruit, and a beautiful shell in a peaceful sea in order to poetically describe its joy, fullness, and peacefulness.

V. Examples of Similes in Pop Culture 

Similes are just as prevalent in pop culture as they are in art, from movies and television to song.

Lenka’s Everything at Once :

As sly as a fox As strong as an ox As fast as a hare As brave as a bear

Lenka performing the song:

This video uses Lenka’s song “Everything at Once” which is full of similes. Lenka describes many character traits that she wishes to have, including shyness, strength, quickness, and bravery, by using animals or objects that symbolize those traits.

I don’t mean to brag, I don’t mean to boast, but we like hot butter on the breakfast toast.

This example is an excerpt from Sugarhill Gang’s song “Rappers Delight.” Comparing themselves to hot butter on toast is a way of saying just how ‘hot,’ or popular, the group is.

The next example of Simile even became a popular catch-phrase:

Shake it like a Polaroid picture!

This example is from Outkast’s hit song “Hey Ya!” Comparing the body to a Polaroid picture encourages the audience to get up, dance, and shake the same way people used to shake a polaroid picture to dry it out more quickly.

VI. Related Terms: Simile vs. Metaphor

Both similes and metaphors compare two different types of things. Unlike simile, though, metaphor makes a direct comparison without using “like” or “as.” For example, consider the following descriptions:

He’s a wolf.

In this metaphor, the comparison made is that a person is equal  to a wolf, not like a wolf. Since this cannot be literal, we know that it must mean that he is like a wolf in some way, probably that he is predatory, wild, or hungry.  In order to express the same idea, simile is slightly different:

He’s like a wolf. Or

He’s as hungry as a wolf.

As you can see, both metaphors and similes make the same kinds of vivid comparisons, just in different words. Which one you use may just depend on what kind of wording sounds or feels best in context.

VI. In Closing

Similes are a powerful and creative form of description that uses comparison to evoke images or symbols of whatever you are trying to describe. The simile can make a woman’s smile beautiful by comparing it to a rose, or it can make her sly by comparing her to a fox. Similes use comparison to create connections between very different things, creating strong feelings and images.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

Simile Definition

What is simile? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like" or "as," but can also use other words that indicate an explicit comparison. Eleanor Roosevelt's line, " A woman is like a teabag —you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water," is an example of simile. Roosevelt compares two unlike things, women and teabags, to describe how women reveal the full extent of their strength in tough situations.

Some additional key details about simile:

• Because the comparison established by a simile is not literal (a woman isn't literally like a teabag), similes are a form of figurative language .
• While most similes use the connecting words "like" or "as" to establish the comparison they're making, similes can use other words that create a direct comparison, including other connecting words (such as, "so" or "than") or verbs of comparison (such as, "compare" and "resemble").
• Some similes have become such a common part of everyday speech that we barely notice them, for instance, when we say "I slept like a log" or "The news hit me like a ton of bricks."

How to Pronounce Simile

Here's how to pronounce simile: sim -ih-lee

Simile vs. Metaphor

Similes and metaphors are both figures of speech that involve the comparison of unlike things. They are also both types of figurative language, because they both create meaning beyond the literal sense of their words. However, simile and metaphor do not make a comparison in the same way. Some people may explain the difference between simile and metaphor by discussing the structure of the language used in each one:

• Similes use the words "like" or "as" to establish their comparison: "The world is like your oyster."
• Metaphors state the comparison without such connecting words: "The world is your oyster."

While the presence of a connecting word, such as "like" or "as," is generally a good rule of thumb to identify similes versus metaphors, it doesn't really get at the root of the difference between the two figures of speech. A deeper way to understand the difference is through the nature of the comparison each one makes:

• A simile makes an explicit comparison by asserting that two different things are similar . A simile sets thing A and thing B side by side to compare them. In the sentence "The world is like your oyster," the listener is asked to mentally visualize and compare "the world" and "an oyster"—as though he or she were holding one in each hand—and draw a comparison between the two.
• A metaphor asserts an implicit comparison by stating that one thing is the other thing . Instead of setting two entities A and B side by side through the use of connecting words, metaphor superimposes them. The metaphor "The world is your oyster" asks the reader to imagine his or her relationship to the world as being the relationship of an oyster to the space inside its shell.

This isn't to say that either a simile or metaphor is stronger or better than the other, just that they are subtly different in the sort of comparison they create, and this difference affects how a reader imaginatively interacts with the text.

Is a Simile a Type of Metaphor?

There is also some debate about whether similes and metaphors are similar but different things, or whether simile is actually a specialized form of metaphor. Arguments on the topic can become surprisingly heated, but all you need to know is that there are competing definitions of metaphor, and whether a simile is a type of metaphor depends on the definition of metaphor you're using. For instance, the Oxford Companion to English Language gives two definitions of metaphor:

• Metaphor: All figures of speech that achieve their effect through association, comparison, and resemblance. Figures like antithesis, hyperbole, metonymy, simile are all species of metaphor.
• Metaphor: A figure of speech which concisely compares two things by saying that one is the other.

Under the first, broad definition of a metaphor, a simile is a type of metaphor. Under the second, narrower definition, it isn't.

Simile Examples

Similes appear in all sorts of writing, from prose literature, to poetry, to music lyrics, and beyond.

Examples of Simile in Literature

Writers use simile to add color and feeling to their writing and to allow readers to see something in a new way through the comparison that the simile creates. Simile can be used to render the familiar strange and unusual, to make the strange seem familiar, or to draw a surprising association between things that don't seem to belong together.

Simile in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

In this example from The Great Gatsby , Nick Carraway describes Tom and Daisy Buchanan's mansion in Long Island. Nick is from the midwest and has never encountered the level of luxury he discovers on his first visit to the Buchanans' home:

A breeze blew through the room, blew curtains in at one end and out the other like pale flags , twisting them up toward the frosted wedding cake of the ceiling—and then rippled over the wine-colored rug, making a shadow on it as wind does on the sea. The only completely stationary object in the room was an enormous couch on which two young women were buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon. They were both in white and their dresses were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house. I must have stood for a few moments listening to the whip and snap of the curtains and the groan of a picture on the wall. Then there was a boom as Tom Buchanan shut the rear windows and the caught wind died out about the room, and the curtains and the rugs and the two young women ballooned slowly to the floor.

Not only does Fitzgerald's use of simile convey Nick's astonishment at the extent of the Buchanans' wealth, but it also enlivens what might otherwise have been an unremarkable description. Without simile, the passage would read something like, "The wind blew through the room. It ruffled the women's clothing. Tom shut the window and the wind stopped." Fitzgerald's similes bring the room to life.

Simile in Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, Sonnet 97, and Sonnet 130

No discussion of simile would be complete without a reference to Shakespeare's sonnets. One of his most well-known similes is the opening line of Sonnet 18, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" (That simile is also a good example of a simile that contains a word other than "like" or "as" to establish its comparison.)

In Sonnet 97, the narrator compares his separation from his beloved to a barren winter, even though the couple was actually separated during the summer. (The narrator admits this in the line, "And yet this time removed was summer's time"):

How like a winter hath my absence been From thee , the pleasure of the fleeting year! What freezings have a I felt, what dark days seen! What old December's bareness everywhere! And yet this time removed was summer's time The teeming autumn big with rich increase, Bearing the wanton burthen of the prime, Like widowed wombs after their lords' decease.

In Sonnet 130, Shakespeare challenges the traditional function of similes and the conventions of love poetry:

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound; I grant I never saw a goddess go; My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare

In Sonnet 130, Shakespeare actually comments on the way similes function within conventional sonnets about love by turning all of the would-be similes into negative similes. Instead of writing that his mistress' eyes are like the sun, that her lips are red as coral, her breasts as white as snow, and so on, Shakespeare says that her eyes are "nothing like the sun," and that, "coral is far more red" than her lips. It's as though the he's acknowledging the fact that many similes have become hackneyed or clichéd, and he's instead proposing to pay a more meaningful tribute to his love by inverting those similes and treating her like a real-life woman.

Simile in Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio

"Hands," one of the short stories in Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio, tells the tale of Winesburg resident Wing Biddlebaum. Biddlebaum is a shy old man who keeps to himself, yet becomes animated and talkative in the presence of his only friend, a reporter named George Willard:

The story of Wing Biddlebaum is a story of hands. Their restless activity, like unto the beating of the wings of an imprisoned bird , had given him his name. Some obscure poet of the town had thought of it. The hands alarmed their owner. He wanted to keep them hidden away and looked with amazement at the quiet inexpressive hands of other men who worked beside him in the fields, or passed, driving sleepy teams on country roads.

The "obscure poet's" simile, which likens the "restless activity" of Wing's hands "unto the beating of the wings of an imprisoned bird" is also the source of the character's nickname. Further, Wing Biddlebaum's social role in the community is similar to that of an imprisoned bird, in the sense that he lives apart from the rest of the town, shut off from companionship.

Simile in Robert M. Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance , the narrator undertakes a cross-country motorcycle trip with his son Chris, his friend Sylvia, and her husband John. The motorists pride themselves on taking scenic backroads that prolong their journey, but better suit their solitary, contemplative style of traveling. When they cross a main road one Monday morning, Sylvia makes the following observation about the grim-looking commuters:

"It was all those people in the cars coming the other way...The first one looked so sad. And then the next one looked exactly the same way, and then the next one and the next one, they were all the same...Its just that they looked so lost... Like they were all dead. Like a funeral procession. "

Sylvia compares the drivers to members of a funeral procession because she feels that, in rushing from point A to point B, the commuters are missing out the pleasure of life and travel.

Simile in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five

In this example from Slaughterhouse-Five , Billy Pilgrim emerges from an underground slaughterhouse where he has been held prisoner by the Germans during the deadly World War II firebombing of Dresden:

It wasn't safe to come out of the shelter until noon the next day. When the Americans and their guards did come out, the sky was black with smoke. The sun was an angry little pinhead. Dresden was like the moon now, nothing but minerals . The stones were hot. Everybody else in the neighborhood was dead.

Vonnegut compares the bombed city of Dresden to the moon in order to capture the totality of the devastation—the city is so lifeless that it is like the barren moon.

Note that Vonnegut also emphasizes the destruction of the city by exaggerating the air pollution created by the bombs ("the sky was black with smoke"). This type of exaggeration for literary or rhetorical purposes is called hyperbole, which can sometimes overlap with simile. To read more about the relationship between the two figures of speech, please see our page on hyperbole .

Examples of Simile in Music

Simile can create vivid images, making language more memorable and emotional. For this reason, musicians across genres regularly use simile in their song lyrics.

Simile in "Gone" by Kanye West

In "Gone," Kanye west compares disloyal aspiring MCs to Anakin Skywalker of Star Wars , who went bad and became Darth Vader.

I'ma open up a store for aspiring MCs Won't sell em no dream, but the inspiration is free But if they ever flip sides like Anakin You'll sell everything including the mannequin

Simile in "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John

"Candle in the Wind" is Elton John's tribute to Marylin Monroe. In referring to Marylin as a "candle in the wind," John portrays her as a vulnerable and fragile person who was often preyed upon by those who made her famous.

And it seems to me you lived your life Like a candle in the wind Never knowing who to cling to When the rain set in And I would have liked to have known you But I was just a kid Your candle burned out long before Your legend ever did

Simile in "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is many great things but "nice" is not one of them. In his most commercially successful release of all time, Dylan compares the song's addressee—presumably, an ex-girlfriend who is going through tough times—to a rolling stone:

Once upon a time you dressed so fine Threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you? People call say 'beware doll, you're bound to fall' You thought they were all kidding you You used to laugh about Everybody that was hanging out Now you don't talk so loud Now you don't seem so proud About having to be scrounging your next meal How does it feel, how does it feel? To be without a home Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone

Why Do Writers Use Simile?

Writers, and people in general, use simile to create memorable images with language, which allow them to vividly recount experiences and emotions. Poets often use simile to make concepts or ideas that are difficult to grasp more concrete, as in Langston Hughes' "A Dream Deferred":

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun ? Or fester like a sore — And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load . Or does it explode?

"A Dream Deferred" was published in Langston Hughes' collection Harlem, in which Hughes meditates on the experience of black Americans. Through the use of simile in this particular poem, Hughes gives physical heft to the dreams of black people living in Harlem and across the country—dreams which are often destroyed, postponed and ignored as a result of racial prejudice. By comparing dreams to material things, such as "raisins" and "rotten meat," Hughes implies that dreams are a concrete part of reality not to be brushed aside, and that there are very real consequences to not pursuing them.

In addition, by using similes to compare one thing or idea to a completely different thing, writers can make readers see the world in a new way. Put another way, writers can use the comparison created by a simile to reveal a figurative truth beyond the literal truth.

Other Helpful Simile Resources

• The Wikipedia Page on Simile: A very brief explanation of the term.
• The Dictionary Definition of simile: A basic definition and etymology of the term, which comes from Latin word for "image, likeness, or comparison."
• Simile vs. Metaphor: An interesting compendium of thoughts on the differences between simile and metaphor.
• A video in which "Old Spice Guy" Isaiah Mustafa shares a simile with his followers.
• A scene built around simile from Disney's Shrek .

• PDFs for all 136 Lit Terms we cover
• Downloads of 1937 LitCharts Lit Guides
• Teacher Editions for every Lit Guide
• Explanations and citation info for 40,835 quotes across 1937 books
• Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play
• Figurative Language
• Figure of Speech
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Slant Rhyme
• Climax (Figure of Speech)
• Point of View
• End-Stopped Line
• Foreshadowing
• Protagonist
• Deus Ex Machina
• Antanaclasis
• Colloquialism

Simile Definition

A simile is a figure of speech in which two essentially dissimilar objects or concepts are expressly compared with one another through the use of “like” or “as.” Simile is used as a literary device to assert similarity with the help of  like or  as,  which are language constructs that establish equivalency. A proper simile creates an explicit comparison between two things that are different enough from each other such that their comparability appears unlikely.

For example, the statement “this poem is like a punch in the gut” features a simile. The poem is being explicitly compared to a “punch in the gut” with the word “like.” This is an effective simile in that a poem is not at all similar to a punch in literal terms. However, figuratively, the simile’s comparison and association between these two things establishes that the impact of the poem on the speaker has the force of and feels similar to a punch in the gut.

Common Examples of Simile

There are many common examples of simile used in everyday conversation and writing. Here are some well-known phrases that utilize this figure of speech:

• Nutty as a fruitcake
• Slept like a log
• Sly as a fox
• Fits like a glove
• Cool as a cucumber
• Blind as a bat
• Light as a feather
• Like watching paint dry
• Works like a charm
• Old as the hills
• Pretty as a picture
• Hurts like the devil
• Strong as an ox
• Fight like cats and dogs
• Sparkle like diamonds
• Cheeks like roses
• Flat as a pancake
• Eyes like glass
• Sweet as sugar
• Dull as a doorknob
• Bright as the sun
• Tough as nails
• Smart as a whip
• Mad as a hatter
• Happy as a clam

Examples of Similes for Love

One of the most common concepts to feature simile as a literary device is love. Here are some memorable lines and quotes that showcase simile as an effective comparison for describing love:

• Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop. (H.L. Mencken)
• Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit. (Khalil Gibran)
• Love is like a friendship caught on fire. (Bruce Lee)
• Love is like a faucet; it turns off and on. (Billie Holiday)
• And she said losing love is like a window in your heart; everybody sees you’re blown apart; everybody sees the wind blow (Paul Simon)
• Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. ( Oscar Wilde )
• Love is like the wild rose-briar ( Emily Bronte )
• Falling out of love is like losing weight. It’s a lot easier putting it on than taking it off. (Aretha Franklin)
• Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same. (Helen Keller)
• Love is like the measles. The older you get it, the worse the attack. (Rainer Maria Rilke)

Famous Examples of Simile

Simile is also found in many famous examples of poetry,  prose ,  drama , lyrics , and even clever quotations. Here are some famous examples of simile:

• Easy Like Sunday Morning (Lionel Richie)
• All those moments will be lost in time, like… tears in rain . (Blade Runner)
• Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. (Albert Einstein)
• That’s always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they’re pretty. It’s like picking your breakfast cereal based on color instead of taste. ( John Green )
• Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die. (Anne Lamott)
• Writing a novel is like driving a car at night . You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way. (E.L. Doctorow)
• Parents are like God because you wanna know they’re out there, and you want them to think well of you, but you really only call when you need something. (Chuck Palahniuk)
• Time was passing like a hand waving from a train I wanted to be on. (Jonathan Safran Foer)
• Being with her I feel a pain, like a frozen knife stuck in my chest. (Haruki Murakami)
• Her hair, like golden threads, play ’d with her breath. ( William Shakespeare )
• Life swings like a pendulum backward and forward between pain and boredom. (Arthur Schopenhauer)
• You, just like heaven. (The Cure)
• Life is like writing with a pen. You can cross out your past but you can’t erase it. (E.B. White)
• The pain is like an axe that chops my heart. ( Yann Martel )
• We are like roses that have never bothered to bloom when we should have bloomed and it is as if the sun has become disgusted with waiting. (Charles Bukowski)

Difference Between Simile and Metaphor

Some may find it difficult to differentiate between simile  and metaphor as literary devices since both are figures of speech designed to create meaning through comparisons. Simile is actually a subset of metaphor and is distinguished by the presence of one of two words: “like” and “as.” Metaphors create direct comparisons without using either of these words, whereas similes feature either like  or  as  in making a comparison.

The following lyrics from a song featured in Walt Disney’s “Bambi” is an example that illustrates the difference between simile and metaphor:

Love is a song that never ends One simple theme repeating Like the voice of a heavenly choir Love’s sweet music flows on

The first two lines feature a metaphor. Love is directly compared to a “song that never ends.” Though love and a song are seemingly unlike entities, the metaphor connects them such that the comparison makes sense to the audience . By linking love to a song that never ends, the metaphor enhances the meaning and audience understanding of love as a concept.

The last two lines of these lyrics feature a simile. The way “love’s sweet music” flows is compared to the “voice of a heavenly choir.” The previous metaphor has established love as a song. Therefore, the simile advances this meaning by comparing love’s music to a choir voice. Rather than stating that love’s music is a choir voice and creating another metaphor, the simile indicates that love’s music is  like a choir voice. The simile enhances the imagery and audience understanding of love, established by the metaphor, with further use of figurative language .

Writing Simile

Overall, as a literary device, simile functions as a means of creating an equivalent comparison or establishing similarity between two seemingly different things. This is an effective figure of speech for readers in that simile can create an association between two dissimilar entities or ideas that illuminate each other and enhance the meaning of both. Simile is an essential literary device for writers of both poetry and prose .

It’s important that writers construct proper similes so that the comparative meaning is not lost for the reader. In fact, like metaphors, similes are dependent on the understandable combination of a principal term and a secondary term. The principal term conveys the literal entity to be described, and the secondary term is used figuratively to add meaning. For example, in the simile “the cat’s fur felt smooth as silk,” the principal term is “cat’s fur” and the secondary term is “silk.” By comparing the smooth feel of the cat’s fur to the feel of silk, the reader’s understanding of the texture of both things is enhanced through figurative language.

Here are some ways that writers benefit from incorporating simile into their work:

Create Imagery

Similes allow writers to create imagery for readers through figurative language that might otherwise be limited by just descriptive language. In other words, an effective simile eliminates the need for excessive explanation or description on the part of the writer. Instead, by creating similarity through comparing two different things, an image is created for the reader to allow for greater meaning and understanding. This imagery is a powerful result of using simile as a literary device.

Generate Thought and Emotion

When writers utilize simile as a literary device, it generates thought on the part of the reader regarding the “logic” or truth in such a comparison. These thoughts, in turn, can evoke emotion in the reader through the realization that the comparison is valid and reflects a level of truth they may not have understood before. Similes are especially effective in poetry as a means of portraying truths in a lyrical yet concise manner.

Examples of Simile in Literature

Simile is a very effective and widely used literary device. Here are some examples of simile and how it adds to the significance of literary works:

Example 1:  Horseradish (Lemony Snicket)

A library is like an island in the middle of a vast sea of ignorance, particularly if the library is very tall and the surrounding area has been flooded.

Lemony Snicket is well-known for his brilliant use of simile as a means of describing concepts, especially for children. In this line, he demonstrates not only the power of simile as a comparison between a library and an island with figurative language, but he also invokes a literal image of a library as an island. This reinforces the significance of a library as a refuge and protective haven against ignorance and other potentially destructive forces.

Example 2:  A Red, Red Rose (Robert Burns)

O my Luve’s like a red, red rose , That’s newly sprung in June; O my Luve’s like the melodie That’s sweetly play’d in tune.

In this stanza , the poet compares the person he loves both to a rose and melody. In poetry, the concept of love is often compared to a rose and/or a song. However, in this poem, Burns enhances those similes by comparing his “Luve,” an actual person rather than an abstract concept, to a rose and a song. This allows the reader to understand that the poet views the person he loves as a symbol of love itself.

Example 3:  Spring is like a perhaps hand (e.e. cummings)

Spring is like a perhaps hand (which comes carefully out of Nowhere)arranging a window,into which people look(while people stare arranging and changing placing carefully there a strange thing and a known thing here)and changing everything carefully Spring is like a perhaps Hand in a window (carefully to and fro moving New and Old things,while people stare carefully moving a perhaps fraction of flower here placing an inch of air there)and without breaking anything.

In this poem, Cummings creates an unusual simile in that the literary device compares dissimilar things in a tentative way. Most poets utilize simile as a means of asserting similarities through comparisons. However, by comparing Spring to a “perhaps” hand, the poet leaves a sense of the indefinite, and creates less of an absolute assertion of the association between Spring and a hand.

However, rather than being weak or ineffective, this “approximate” simile reinforces the meaning and imagery of the poem itself. The poem’s theme is that the changes brought about by Spring are so gentle and subtle that they are nearly unnoticeable as they are happening. Therefore, the comparison to a “perhaps” hand invokes the association between Spring and something that is all but unseen, and therefore elusive or ephemeral.

Related posts:

• 20 Best Simile Examples from Songs
• 15 Visionary Simile Examples in The Bible
• 15 Top Homeric Simile Examples
• 10 Imaginative Similes in 1984
• Romeo and Juliet Similes
• 10 Best Poems With Similes

Post navigation

Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of simile.

Simile is an explicit comparison between two unlike things through the use of connecting words, usually “like” or “as.” The technique of simile is known as a rhetorical analogy, as it is a device used for comparison. The other most popular rhetorical analogy is metaphor, which shares some traits and is often confused with simile. We explain the difference in greater detail below.

Difference Between Simile and Metaphor

As stated above, simile and metaphor are often confused. Though the difference is simple between the definition of simile and that of metaphor, it can be profound. While simile compares two things with the connecting words “like” or “as,” metaphor simply states that one thing is the other. For example, a simile would be, “He was as aggressive as a tiger in that argument,” whereas a metaphor would be, “He was a tiger in that argument.” Metaphors are thus subtler and can be stronger in a rhetorical sense, because they equate the two things in comparison rather than just present them as similar. Similes, however, allow for truly bizarre comparisons that make the reader stretch to understand the connection between them.

Common Examples of Simile

There are many clichéd similes in the English language that we use regularly. Here are some examples:

• Strong as an ox
• Fit as a fiddle
• Bright as the sun
• Sweating like a pig
• White as a sheet
• His heart was as cold as ice
• Sleeping like a log
• Fast as lightning
• Dance like no one is watching

Significance of Simile in Literature

Simile can be an excellent way for an author either to make an unusual thing seem more familiar (i.e., “The planet Zenoth was as cold as ice”) or a familiar thing seem more unique (i.e., “Her smile was jagged like a broken zipper”). In this way, similes can help the reader imagine the fictive world of a piece of literature. Good similes can also make readers think about things in a new way, and can sometimes create a lasting effect. Scottish poet Robert Burns’s declaration that his “luve’s like a red, red rose” forever linked the concepts of love and red roses in our minds.

Simile can also sometimes be used to show a comparison, though with the conclusion that these two things really are unalike or even at odds with each other. This can either be a negative simile, which might come in the form of “A is not like B” (see Example #1 below) or an ironic simile, which communicates the opposite of what is expected at the beginning of the statement. For example, the famous feminist quote popularized by Gloria Steinem, “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle,” ultimately concludes that a woman has no need for a man.

Simile can help to make new connections for the reader. One of literature’s purposes is to help better explain the world around us, and the technique of simile is one of those ways in which we are able to see things in a new way. All types of analogies are cognitive processes of transferring meaning from one thing to another, and thus the use of simile in literature has real synaptic effects. For this reason, and for aesthetic purposes, simile has been a popular literary technique for many hundreds of years.

Examples of Simile in Literature

My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.

(“Sonnet 130” by William Shakespeare)

This excerpt from Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130” is an example of a negative simile. Shakespeare goes against the expectation praising his mistress’s beauty and instead says what she is not like. Her lips are not as red as coral, her skin is not pure as snow, and so on. This striking simile example plays with both the tradition of sonnets as well as the usual function of similes.

Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail. Mind! I don’t mean to say that I know, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a door-nail. I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Country’s done for. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

( A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens)

This excerpt from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol also plays with the tradition of similes. Dickens knowingly uses the clichéd simile “dead as a doornail” (perhaps more clichéd now than even in his day). He then investigates the simile, humorously pointing out that there is nothing “particularly dead about a doornail” and that a coffin nail would have provided a better simile. But, as he concludes, some similes display “the wisdom of our ancestors,” which is to say, not much wisdom at all.

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.   Or does it explode?

(“Harlem” by Langston Hughes)

Langston Hughes uses five examples of simile in this short poem, “Harlem.” Each simile is one possibility that Hughes imagines for “a dream deferred.” The imagery was so striking in this poem that playwright Lorraine Hansberry named her famous play A Raisin in the Sun after the first simile in the poem. All of the similes in this poem share a sense of decay and burden, just like a dream that does not come to fruition.

The Radley Place fascinated Dill. In spite of our warnings and explanations it drew him as the moon draws water, but drew him no nearer than the light-pole on the corner, a safe distance from the Radley gate.

( To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)

The classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee centers around the tragedy of Boo Radley, a man falsely accused for a crime. This evocative simile at the beginning of the novel somewhat foreshadows the main characters’ relation to Boo: the children Scout and Jem are fascinated by him as well as terrified of him. This fascination and terror draws their friend Dill “as the moon draws water,” an allusion to the way the presence of the moon changes the tides.

I wait, washed, brushed, fed, like a prize pig.

( The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood)

This simple example of simile in Margaret Atwood’s dystopic novel The Handmaid’s Tale is not so simple when looked at more closely. The protagonist of the novel is Offred, a woman whose sole purpose is to reproduce with the higher social classes. Women in this new society have had their rights entirely taken away, even to the point of their humanity. Therefore, Offred’s comparison between herself and a prize pig shows that she is treated no differently than—and no better than—an animal.

Test Your Knowledge of Simile

1. Choose the correct simile definition: A. A comparison where one thing is stated to be another. B. A comparison between two unlike things, usually using the connecting words “like” or “as.” C. A contrast between two things, showing how they are unalike. [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #1″] Answer: B is the best definition of simile. While negative similes or ironic similes may show a contrast between the things being compared, C does not hold true for all similes.[/spoiler]

2. Which of the following excerpts from Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin contains a simile? A. 

There are moments we return to, now and always. Family is like water – it has a memory of what it once filled, always trying to get back to the original stream.

Some people think love is the end of the road, and if you’re lucky enough to find it, you stay there. Other people say it just becomes a cliff you drive off…

Try to describe the taste of a peach. Try to describe it. Feel the rush of sweetness…

[spoiler title=”Answer to Question #2″] Answer: A contains a simile in the comparison of “family” with “water,” and therefore is the correct answer. B contains examples of metaphor.[/spoiler]

3. Does the following excerpt from Shakespeare’s Macbeth contain a simile, a metaphor, or both?

LADY MACBETH: Look like th’ innocent flower, / But be the serpent under ‘t.

A. Simile B. Metaphor C. Both [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #3″] Answer: C is correct. The first line is an example of simile and the second line is an example of metaphor.[/spoiler]

What Is a Simile? Definition, Usage, and Literary Examples

Simile definition.

Simile  (SIH-muh-lee) is a  figure of speech  that directly compares two dissimilar things. Similes are most commonly signaled by the words  like  or  as . The term, which originated in the 14th century, stems from the Latin  similis , meaning “similar” or “like.”

Figures of speech like simile are examples of  figurative language , which uses nonliteral expressions to better convey a message or idea. Writers use simile,  metaphor ,  allusion , and other literary devices to better  persuade , educate, and captivate readers. Simile can be also combined with other figures of speech like  hyperbole  and  irony  to achieve greater symbolic effect.

Types of Simile

There are two primary types of simile in the English language: the traditional rhetorical simile and the Homeric (or epic) simile.

From ancient times to today, countless writers have wielded simile to great effect. One particularly notable proponent of the device is the Greek poet Homer, for whom the Homeric simile is named. Similes abound in  The   Iliad  and  The   Odyssey , where Homer regularly uses word-picture analogies to help readers relate to and understand the text.

While rhetorical similes are economical comparisons that create compelling descriptions with just a few words, the more detailed Homeric simile develops across several lines. Homeric similes are most common in  poetry , particularly  epic  poems, where they emphasize the subject’s grand or heroic nature.

Take this example from  The Odyssey :

Hoisting high that olive stake with its stabbing point,

Straight into the monster’s eye the rammed it hard—

I drove my weight on it from above and bored it home

as a shipwright bores his beam with a shipwright’s drill

that men below, whipping the strap back and forth, whirl

and the drill keeps twisting faster, never stopping—

so we seized our stake with its fiery tip

and bored it round and round in the giant’s eye

The Homeric simile begins in the fourth line, but it continues to develop throughout the rest of the  stanza , with words like  whipping ,  whirl ,  twisting , and  seized  all contributing to a more graphic image that intensifies the drama.

Similes in Other Languages

Similes concisely identify commonalities between disparate subjects, making them a useful writing tool in several languages. Vietnamese, for example, has two main types of simile: the meaning simile and the rhyming simile. Meaning similes are simply rhetorical similes, much like you see in English.  Rhyming  similes build analogies using similar sounds.

Thuy Nga Nguyen and Ghil’ad Zuckermann provide several rhyming similes in  “Stupid as a Coin: Meaning and Rhyming Similes in Vietnamese.”  This example achieves the intended effect by repeating the  anh  sound: “nhanh ư bát canh.” This translates to “quick as a bowl of soup,” which parallels the English phrase “quick as a wink.”

Why Writers Use Similes

Similes are powerful analogies that spark the imagination. Writers use them to paint vivid images, evoke emotion or memory, and clarify or explain ideas through comparison. In doing so, similes give readers a fuller understanding of the subject and help them connect to the text. “He was hungry” is a plain assertion, but “He was as hungry as a pig” leverages common perceptions to express a more robust idea of hunger, one characterized by gluttony and greed.

Writers also use similes to make intangible concepts more accessible to readers. “Happiness” is abstract, but “Happiness is like sunshine” uses the concrete image of sunshine to convey a sense a warmth and light.

Similes most commonly use the connecting words  like  and  as  to make comparisons. You’ll probably recognize these common examples:

• “As cold as ice”
• “Run like the wind”
• “As tough as nails”
• “As fast as lightning”
• “As busy as a bee”
• “Eat like a bird”
• “As slow as molasses”
• “Swim like a fish”
• “As white as snow”
• “Work like a dream”

Similes are highly versatile, and they can be combined with other  figures of speech  to achieve specific effects. Writers use ironic similes to express the opposite of what they mean:

• “The bed was as soft as concrete”
• “Her thesis was as clear as mud”

Simile can also be combined with  alliteration ,  hyperbole , and so on:

• “He roared like a lion”
• “She was as thin as a twig”

Simile vs.Metaphor

Simile and  metaphor  are both figures of speech that compare disparate things, and it can be tricky to tell them apart. Remember that similes are distinguished by a unique characteristic: connecting words, such as  like  or  as .

Metaphors, however, explicitly refer to one thing to describe another. These figurative descriptions are used to achieve symbolic effect, and like simile, they can clarify ideas, emphasize subtle similarities, or create compelling imagery. Metaphors are often signaled by verbs like  is ,  are , and  was  (e.g., “She is a star”), but this is not a hard rule (e.g., “road to freedom”). As writer F.L. Lucas succinctly puts it: “The simile sets two ideas side by side; in the metaphor, they become superimposed.”

Consider this simile:

• “Life is  like a box of chocolates. ”

Like  pairs life with a box of chocolates to illustrate its inherent unpredictability.

Now check out this metaphor:

• “America is a melting pot. ”

The melting pot image helps readers visualize cultural integration in the US. You could turn this into a simile—“America is like a melting pot”—but the effect is subtly different.

Similes in Other Literary Works

The simile’s utility extends well beyond literature. Poets and playwrights regularly use this literary device to connect with their readers or audience and help them visualize an image or idea

Similes in Poetry

Many readers will recognize  poetry  as a literary form that uses  figurative language  to communicate certain ideas and concepts. Poetry’s layered, open-to-interpretation nature lends itself to figures of speech like simile. It allows the reader to create their own understanding of a  poem ’s subject or meaning.

Consider “London, 1802,” a William Wordsworth poem that eulogizes fellow poet John Milton:

Thy soul was  like a Star , and dwelt apart:

Thou hadst a voice whose sound was  like the sea :

Pure as the naked heavens , majestic, free

By comparing Milton to natural images, such as stars and the sea, Wordsworth both compliments Milton and alludes to his enduring cultural legacy.

Another example comes from Maya Angelou. Though this writer and activist is better known for her  prose  works, she wrote many poems that used figurative language to describe tough subjects, such as abuse, trauma, and discrimination. In her poem  “And Still I Rise,”  Angelou employs several similes to reference nature:

Just  like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just  like hopes springing high,

Still I’ll rise.

These natural and celestial associations demonstrate the speaker’s inalienable strength and hope in the face of injustice.

Simile in Plays

Because plays are performed, playwrights must articulate ideas and feelings almost entirely through dialogue. As such, using figures of speech like similes helps convey characters’  motivations  and emotions to the audience.

In  Romeo and Juliet ,  William Shakespeare  uses similes to emphasize the youthful romanticism of the ill-fated couple. Consider Romeo’s dialogue in Act 2, Scene 2, which contains some of the play’s most famous lines:

She speaks.

O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art

As glorious to this night, being o’er my head,

As is a winged messenger of heaven

Words like  bright angel  and  winged messenger of heaven  demonstrate Juliet’s ethereal beauty and its effect on Romeo. It also captures the drama and overwhelming nature of teenage love.

Similes in Pop Culture

This effective literary device can be found in places other than books and poems—really, anywhere a writer needs to facilitate readers’ (or listeners’) understanding.

Similes in Songs

Figurative language is a staple in popular music. No matter the genre, songwriters use figures of speech to engage listeners and project certain meanings.

Consider these  lyrics  from British pop-rock band Coldplay’s song “The Scientist”:

Questions of science, science and progress

Do not speak  as loud as my heart

This simile highlights the power of emotion by comparing it to matters of logic. While science and the progress it enables can seemingly answer any question, it still cannot provide more clarity than the speaker’s love.

In “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel allude to a supportive relationship by evoking the imagery of a bridge:

I’ll take your part, oh,

When darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Bridges enable safe passage over dangerous terrain, such as violently choppy water. The song’s speaker implies that they will take care of their loved one and guide them through times of distress.

Similes in Marketing

Figures of speech aren’t limited to traditionally creative outlets. Especially apt comparisons can persuade consumers to buy a product or service, which makes simile a potent marketing tool for brands. You’re sure to recognize at least one of these ad slogans that employ similes:

• State Farm: “Like a good neighbor”
• Chevrolet: “Built like a rock”
• Doritos: “Tastes like awesome feels”
• Vault: “Drinks like a soda, kicks like an energy drink”

Examples of Simile in Literature

1. Stephen Crane,  The Red Badge of Courage

In Crane’s Civil War novel, protagonist Henry Fleming observes daybreak from a river bank:

In the eastern sky there was a yellow patch  like a rug laid for the feet of the coming sun.

This simile compares dawn’s first light to a rug to create a more compelling description of the sunrise. It drives readers to imagine the growing sunlight covering the ground, giving it almost a tactile presence.

2. Margaret Mitchell,  Gone with the Wind

This Civil War novel focuses more on the war’s effects on wealthy Southerners, like protagonist Scarlett O’Hara, than the actual fighting. In this excerpt, O’Hara uses several figures of speech to reflect on Ashley Wilkes, her neighbor and the object of her affection:

Why he should have captivated Scarlett when his mind was a stranger to hers she did not know. The very mystery of him excited her curiosity  like a door that had neither lock nor key.

Locked doors can be both alluring and frustrating, inspiring curiosity and determination to see what lies inside. That is what Scarlett feels in this moment as she tries to examine why she fines Wilkes so captivating. Mitchell uses simile to convey this complex emotion in a single succinct phrase. She also uses metaphor—“His mind was a stranger”—to further imply how unknowable Wilkes is.

3. Harper Lee,  To Kill a Mockingbird

Lee’s acclaimed Southern gothic tale draws on vivid imagery to paint a picture of post-slavery America. When the Finch children and their best friend Dill Harris approach the rundown home of reclusive Boo Radley, it exerts an especially magnetic pull on Dill:

The Radley Place fascinated Dill. In spite of our warnings and explanations it drew him  as the moon draws water , but drew him no nearer than the light-pole on the corner, a safe distance from the Radley gate.

By referencing the moon’s effect on the sea, Lee colors Dill’s fascination with a kind of controlled inevitability. He cannot escape the pull of the Radley home, but he can at least maintain a semblance of immunity by not yet stepping foot on the property.

4. Haruki Murakami,  Norwegian Wood

In this Japanese bildungsroman, Murakami explores the life of a 1960s college student. Here, narrator and protagonist Toru Watanabe comments on memory:

The sad truth is that what I could recall in 5 seconds all too soon needed 10, then 30, then a full minute— like shadows lengthening at dusk.

Murakami evokes the image of shadows stretching in the waning light to illustrate the slippery nature of recollection. Much as shadows grow long and distance themselves from the observer, so too does the full weight and accuracy of the past break from a person’s memory.

Further Resources About Similes

Similes Dictionary  shares more than 16,000 similes organized by category, to help any writer set a scene or make a point with rich, imaginative comparisons.

Intrigued by the use of simile in song? Check out  this article listing 47 examples of simile  in popular music.

Test your ability to distinguish simile from metaphor with  this seven-question quiz .

Related Terms

• Figurative language
• Figure of speech

• Reading Comprehension Worksheets
• Inferences Worksheets
• Context Clues Worksheets
• Theme Worksheets
• Main Idea Worksheets
• Reading Games
• Summary Worksheets
• Online Tests
• Figurative Language Worksheets
• Short Stories with Questions
• Nonfiction Passages
• Genre Worksheets

BECOME A MEMBER!

Simile worksheets.

A simile is a comparison between two different things using the word "like" or "as." Common Core State Standards require students to be able to identify and analyze similes and other figurative language techniques at around the third or fourth grade level. Many of the simile worksheets that I've found online are very basic and intended for students at the early levels of figurative language study. My worksheets are a bit more rigorous in the language that is used (which draws from classic and modern poetry) as well as the performance task required: in these worksheets students are to identify the two things being compared in each simile and then explain what the speaker was attempting to express in literal language. This forces students to truly consider the meaning of the simile in addition to identifying it. If you find that the language used in these worksheets is too challenging for your students, feel free to download the .rtf files and modify them for your classroom.

Figurative Language Common Core State Standards

Dashiya robinson.

A simile is a sentence that uses like or as and combining the two sentences about any subject

Please don’t confuse a simile with a complex sentence. Similes make comparisons between two dissimilar things using the words like or as .

[email protected]

Thank you. I hope to use this for my class.

Let me know how it goes if you do. Best wishes!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Author's Purpose Worksheets
• Characterization Worksheets
• Conflict Worksheets
• Fact and Opinion Worksheets
• Figurative Language Activities
• Figurative Language Poems with Questions
• Genre Activities
• Irony Worksheets
• Making Predictions
• Mood Worksheets
• Nonfiction Passages and Functional Texts
• Parts of Speech Worksheets
• Poetic Devices
• Point of View Worksheets
• School Project Ideas
• Setting Worksheets
• Simile and Metaphor Worksheets
• Story Structure Worksheets
• Text Structure Worksheets
• Tone Worksheets
• ALL PAGES AND WORKSHEETS

What is Simile (5 Types) and How to Write One?

• Figurative Language
• Updated on Nov 12, 2023

•   shares

This post covers similes comprehensively. It explains similes in five broad types, how they can make your writing compelling, step-by-step way to write them, and common mistakes to avoid while writing them. And all of this through several examples.

What is simile?

Simile is a figure of speech of comparison that compares two unlike things and says that one thing is like another thing (after all, simile finds roots in in the Latin word similis , which means like). You’ll often find a comparison word such as like , as , or than in a simile. Simile, like metaphor and analogy, improves our understanding of a less-known thing by comparing it with a well-known thing, highlighting the common message between the two. Example (the unlike thing being compared to has been underlined in all the examples for ease of following):

The new fashion brand is growing like a weed .

In this sentence, the new fashion brand has been compared with a weed, two unlike things, to show how fast the brand is growing. Note the use of comparison word like .

Simile in this sentence compares the primary thing (also called tenor), the new fashion brand , with another thing (also called vehicle), a weed . Note that we already know how fast weed grows, and we’re using that prior information to portray how fast the new fashion brand is growing. That’s using well-known or concrete to shed light on less-known or abstract.

However, note that the brand is not literally growing like a weed. It’s a way of comparison. It’s a way of saying.

More resources on simile:

• More than 100 examples of similes , which have been categorized just like this post
• Simile examples for kids . These would be useful for beginners
• Metaphor vs. simile vs. analogy: Understand the difference
• Variety of exercises on similes

Why use similes?

Similes, like metaphors, are used to paint a vivid picture of what the writer wants to emphasize. It is one of the most commonly-used figures of speech in English language and, when used well, it not only clarifies an idea but also lends style to your writing and delights readers.

Let’s understand their impact through few examples. Notice the two sentences describing how Susan moves:

Susan moved fast yet gracefully.

Susan moved like a gazelle .

In the second sentence, Susan has been compared to an unlike thing, gazelle, to bring out her movement vividly. The first sentence, in contrast, doesn’t evoke the same emotion and imagery.

Another example:

Jack yawned in the middle of meeting, opening his mouth unusually wide.

Jack yawned in the middle of meeting, opening his mouth like a hippo .

Which one paints a picture, evokes emotion? Second, right? That’s why similes often make headlines in news and articles. Here are few:

How depression is like the common cold Source

Cleaning my swimming pool is like building strong towns Source

Kitchen is like a playground for people who love to cook Source

Refusing COVID-19 vaccine is like drink-driving Source

Incredibly ancient Tardigrade from 16 million years ago is like a ghost across time Source

Simile is a powerful way to suggest comparison which isn’t easily possible in a literal way. That’s why it has been a popular tool in literature, poetry, essays, and many other forms of writing. See how Annie Dillard describes a particular green frog through similes:

He was a very small frog with wide, dull eyes. And just as I looked at him, he slowly crumpled and began to sag. The spirit vanished from his eyes as if snuffed. His skin emptied and drooped; his very skull seemed to collapse and settle like a kicked tent . He was shrinking before my eyes like a deflating football . I watched the taut, glistening skin on his shoulders ruck, and rumple, and fall. Soon, part of his skin, formless as a pricked balloon , lay in floating folds like bright scum on top of the water : it was a monstrous and terrifying thing.

Let’s get into the thick of things.

5 types of similes

Similes can be written in few ways, with comparison of nouns through like and as being the most common. For the purpose of understanding similes, we can divide them into five broad types.

1. Similes formed by comparing nouns with like and so

When one noun is compared to the other, we use like to link them, with the noun compared to coming after like .

A child can absorb a language like a sponge absorbs water .

Note that the noun compared to (vehicle), gazelle , follows the noun you want to explain (tenor), with like in the middle. This is the most common, and the easiest, form of simile you’ll find.

You can flip the order of nouns, but then you’ve to use so instead of like . (My comments that go with examples are in square brackets.)

A gazelle almost glides while running; so does Roger Federer on a tennis court .

Fish cannot survive without water; so do I without internet .

Life often gets complicated. So do analogies when they extend beyond the formulaic first type .

This, however, is much less common way to write similes than with like .

2. Similes formed by comparing nouns with as

Similes with as are no less abundant than similes with like .

The kids were as restless as a cat on hot tin roof .

Susan is as shapely as an hourglass .

On hearing the sentence, the convict turned pale as death .

Note that in the third example, unlike the first two, as is not in pair.

3. Similes formed with other comparison words

So far, we’ve looked at similes containing comparison words such as like , as , or so . They’re somewhat easier to write and to identify because of the structure around them. However, not all similes come with these marker words, and they can be relatively difficult to spot and to write. Let’s take few examples:

My grandfather’s memory can be compared to a sieve .

His gaze was sharper than a brand-new hunter knife .

Usain Bolt sprinting down the track resembled a cheetah chasing an antelope .

Note that compared , than , and resembled – much like like and as – are comparison words. They don’t lend ‘one thing is another’ tinge, which would make the sentence a metaphor.

Some of the common comparison words are than , resemble , compared to , no different from , said to be , similar to , same as , as though , and akin to . However, this is just an illustrative list.

4. Similes formed by adjectives

Sometimes, adjectives can form similes. Examples:

Meet the diabolical family-like group who runs one of the biggest—and most frightening—haunted houses in America. Source [The adjective essentially means ‘group like a family’. Simile, isn’t it?]

Earth-like planets – the holy grail of planet hunting – are too small to detect. Source [The adjective essentially means ‘planets like earth’. Simile, isn’t it?]

Note the word like consistently appearing in all the adjectives.

Participate in a short survey

If you’re a learner or teacher of English language, you can help improve website’s content for the visitors through a short survey.

5. Negative similes

So far, we’ve seen that similes bring out resemblance between two unlike things. However, similes can also be used to compare two things to highlight that the two things have no resemblance on some count.

The functioning of an electric car engine is not at all like the functioning of a petrol car engine .

Your beauty is nothing like the moon .

Note the negative comparison words not at all like and nothing like .

How to write similes?

Let’s take this through as example we covered earlier:

Susan is as shapely as an hourglass.

Step 1: Decide tenor

Decide the primary thing you want to write about. In the above example, you want to write about how shapely Susan is.

Step 2: Think of vehicle

Think of something evocative that is unlike the primary thing, but that shares the message you want to convey about the primary thing. In this example, you want to convey the message about how shapely Susan is. And to convey that message, you decide hourglass to be the vehicle because, first, it’s quite different from a human being and, second, it shares the message of shapeliness.

This is the crux of any simile, so spend time thinking of a striking vehicle. If you get this right, you’ve a strong simile.

Step 3: Write it out

Decide which of the five forms (discussed earlier) your simile should take, and write it out. The most common are comparison of nouns through like and as .

Our final simile is:

Susan is shapely like an hourglass .

What if we had these as our similes? How do they compare with what we just wrote?

Susan is as shapely as Alexandra Daddario .

Susan is as shapely as a lioness .

The first isn’t as impactful because, compared to Susan and hourglass, the two things being compared aren’t very unlike. The second can leave people confused because a lioness isn’t particularly associated with shapeliness (btw almost all animals are shapely in the wild), and hence there is little common ground between Susan and lioness for comparison, the primary thing similes try to do. In nutshell, both striking difference and common message are important in picking your vehicle.

Let your similes do more for your writing than just style

Compare the two similes:

My grandfather’s memory can be compared to a sieve , often forgetting where he kept his spectacles – and that’s just one of the things.

The second version goes beyond just the simile and provides more information to the reader. Another example:

On hearing the sentence, the convict turned pale as death , plunging into remorse, scenes from his past flashing like a movie.

The participial and absolute phrases at the end in second version inform readers about the goings-on in the mind of the convict.

Dos and Don’ts in writing similes

1. pick similes depending on the meaning you want to convey.

Consider following similes for how a product has spread:

The company’s product has spread like wildfire .

The company’s product has spread like weed .

The company’s product has spread like PUBG .

Which one would you prefer?

Now, comparing a company’s product with an online game may have negative connotations as such games are typically engineered for addiction. So, the third simile may not work well.

2. Avoid overused similes

Avoid overused similes such as:

Big as a building

Blind as a bat

Brave as a lion

Busy as a bee

Different as chalk and cheese

Dry as bone

Fit as a fiddle

Hard as a rock/ Hard as nails

Innocent as a baby

Red as a tomato/ Black as a coal/ Green as grass

Sparkle like a diamond

Sweet as sugar

Thin as a rail

Here are few examples of overused similes from news and articles that are like flat soda, barely triggering any images (I just wrote an overused simile):

Comparing Covid-19 deaths to flu deaths is like comparing apples to oranges . Source

Without vaccination, one is like a sitting duck , because the virus will spread widely and find most everybody this autumn and winter. Source

Current COVID wave is like a tsunami . Source

In life expectancy, Kerala is like Mexico while Uttar Pradesh is like Sudan . Source [Comparing a state with a country isn’t exactly imaginative.]

Good writers, instead, use striking similes that evoke surprise and even smile.

3. Make sure that the point of similarity is amply clear

Let’s take this through examples:

He is like a lion. [What’s the point of similarity?]

He is like a lion, taking on bullies. [This is better: brave like a lion]

The dew is like diamond. [This is fine, and many will understand]

The dew is like diamond, shining brilliantly in its natural form. [This will leave no doubt]

Anil is the person behind content on this website, which is visited by 3,000,000+ learners every year. He writes on most aspects of English Language Skills. More about him here:

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

145+ Examples of Simile for Everyday Usage

• Updated on  
• Nov 4, 2023

Almost all of us have used a simile in our daily conversations. Consciously or otherwise, this is one of the most commonly used figures of speech that has become a part of our daily vocabulary. Knowing about different similes can be beneficial, especially for aspirants of competitive examinations such as the IELTS , GRE , TOEFL, etc. To help you understand what this literary device is and how it is used, this blog brings you a comprehensive guide on the definition and examples of simile, along with the ways it can be used in a sentence.

This Blog Includes:

Importance of using a simile , how to use a simile in a sentence, 31 examples of simile for daily usage, examples of similes to use as phrases, best examples of similes for kids, examples of simile in classic literature, examples of simile in song lyrics, examples of simile in advertising slogans  , examples of simile in writing, examples of simile using “as”, examples of simile using “like” , what is the difference between simile and metaphor, similes and exaggeration, practice with simile quiz , download simile quiz pdf, simile worksheets, what is a simile.

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things that have similar properties or characteristics. Similes are often confused with metaphors, which is another different figure of speech used for comparison. The easiest way to identify a simile as opposed to a metaphor is to look for the words ‘like’ or ‘as’. Thus, the best examples of similes include ‘ as ’ or ‘ like ’ such as “as proud as a peacock”.

Similes are a powerful tool for making language more interesting, descriptive, and creative. Because the mind thinks in images and associations, similes can elicit stronger and more effective descriptions than adjectives or exact descriptions; they can activate linked emotions, generate new mental connections, and underline specific features. From common conversation to poetry, similes are almost required for creative expression.

A simile is generally used in a sentence to make comparisons between two or more nouns and this is done with the use of words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’. The general idea of using a simile with the word ‘as’ is by using a noun that is known for a particular quality.

For example : as proud as a peacock, as busy as a bee and so on.

A simile is a direct comparison of two like or unlike things. A simile helps your reader or listener visualize, understand, and have a better conception of the quality of the nouns being compared. It makes it a lot more vivid and descriptive. In other words, it can be said that similes can be used to provide a mental image to your reader or listener.

Now that you are familiar with what simile means, we have compiled a comprehensive list of some of the popular examples of similes you must know about! Check out the following list of similes:

• As black as coal Example: His face became as black as coal after being criticized.
• As blind as a bat Example: My uncle is as blind as a bat without his spectacles.
• As cool as a cucumber Example: While all of us were panicking just before the declaration of the results, Naina was as cool as a cucumber.
• As brave as a lion Example: While fighting the war, the soldier was as brave as a lion.
• Cunning like a fox Example: Don’t trust his words, he is cunning like a fox.
• As cold as ice Example: The expression on her face was as cold as ice.
• As busy as a be e Example: My wife is as busy as a bee in the mornings.

Like these examples of similes? Check out our blog on 50 Common Proverbs with Meaning and Examples !

• As clean as a whistle Example: The maid has done a good job, and the hall is as clean as a whistle
• As soft as velvet Example: I just love my new blanket, it is as soft as velvet!
• As sharp as a razor Example: Despite being over 75 years of age, my grandmother’s mind is as sharp as a razor.
• As white as snow Example: The clothes she wore were as white as snow.
• As white as a ghost Example: Her face became as white as a ghost when she spotted the burglar in her house.
• As fresh as a daisy Example: You still look as fresh as a daisy after finishing all the work!
• As stiff as a board Example: I am sure that he is very nervous, he is standing as stiff as a board on the stage.
• As proud as a peacock Example: She is as proud as a peacock after getting selected for the lead role in the drama.
• As gentle as a lamb Example: My grandmother may seem scary to others, but she is as gentle as a lamb.
• As bright as a button Example: She seems to be as bright as a button!
• As strong as an ox Example: Although he has lost some weight, he is still as strong as an ox.
• As hot as hell Example: How can you bear to go out in this weather? It is as hot as hell!
• As tough as leather Example: My brother can help you move all this furniture, he is as tough as leather!
• As bright as the moon Example: Her eyes shined as bright as the moon on receiving her birthday gift.
• As thin as a rake Example: How can you eat so much and still be as thin as a rake?
• As wise as an owl Example: This problem seems tough! You can only solve this if you are as wise as an owl!

Have fun with these examples of similes, and explore our exclusive blog on 50 Common Difficult Idioms with Examples !

• As clear as crystal Example: She loved visiting the lake high up in the mountains, whose water was as clear as crystal.
• As smooth as silk Example: Her voice is as smooth as silk.
• As stubborn as a mule Example: It’s no use trying to change his mind, that man is as stubborn as a mule.
• As silent as the grave Example: He knew something was wrong when he found his friends as silent as the grave.
• As light as a feather Example: This shawl is made from very fine material, it’s as light as a feather!
• As old as the hills Example: Her grandmother’s love story was as old as the hills.
• As straight as an arrow Example: You can trust him, he is as straight as an arrow.

You can use similes in everyday language and that makes you look as smart as a fox! You saw what we did there? Now let’s see all the similes that you can use in your everyday life.

• As innocent as a lamb
• As tough as nails
• As shiny as a new pin
• As hot as hell
• As white as a ghost
• As bright as a button
• As cool as a cucumber
• As cold as ice
• As light as a feather
• As sweet as sugar
• As blind as a bat
• As common as dirt
• As tall as a giraffe
• As hard as nails
• As cute as a kitten
• As bold as brass
• As happy as a clam
• As black as coal
• As American as apple pie.
• As big as an elephant.
• As black as coal.
• As blind as a bat.
• As boring as watching paint dry.
• As brave as a lion.
• As busy as a bee.
• As cunning as a fox
• As dead as a doornail
• As deaf as a post
• As difficult as nailing jelly to a tree
• As dry as a bone
• As dull as dishwater
• As easy as ABC
• As old as the hills
• As pale as death
• As for fit as a fiddle
• As flat as a pancake
• As free as a bird
• As fresh as a daisy
• As gentle as a lamb
• As good as gold
• As heavy as lead
• As helpless as a baby
• As honest as the day is long
• As hot as blue blazes
• As hungry as a bear
• As cheap as dirt.
• As clean as a whistle.
• As clear as mud.
• As clear as crystal.

• As boring as watching paint dry
• As busy as a bee
• As clean as a whistle
• As sick as a dog
• As silent as the grave
• As slippery as an eel
• As slow as molasses
• As smooth as a baby’s bottom
• As snug as a bug in a rug
• As solid as the ground we stand on
• As sour as vinegar
• As stiff as a board
• As straight as an arrow
• The breeze was gentle like a butterfly.
• She danced lightly, like a fluttering butterfly.
• You are as pale as a white sheet.
• Your hands are as cold as the Arctic.
• His mind is like an encyclopedia.
• It was as light as a penny.
• He soared like an eagle.
• It was damp like dew in the morning.
• He was as lost as a sheep.
• She worked as hard as an ant gathering his harvest.
• She was as prickly as a cactus.
• The puppy wagged his tail like a toddler who just got a lollipop.
• The children were as happy as a hog with fresh mud.
• The burglar looked as sketchy as jelly with green fuzz on top.
• As American as apple pie
• Her teeth were as white as pearls.
• She moved as gracefully as a prima ballerina.
• They ran around, going this way and that, like leaves on a blustery day.

Literature has some of the best usages of similes. From Virginia Woolf to Shakespeare, every famous writer and poet has used similes to accessorize their literature. Let’s check out some of the best examples of similes in Classic Literature: 

• “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.”- Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
• f reach.” — Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
• “Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.”- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• “The water made a sound like kittens lapping.” — The Yearling, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
• “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
• Or fester like a sore— And then run?”— Harlem by Langston Hughes 

Many song lyrics have used similes in their lyrics to enhance them. Let’s check them out:

• “Hit me like a ray of sun, Burning through my darkest night”- Halo by Beyonce
• “Questions of science, science, and progress
• Do not speak as loud as my heart”- The Scientist by Coldplay
• “Shine bright like a diamond
• Find light in the beautiful sea
• I choose to be happy”- Diamonds by Rihanna
• “If all it’s gonna cause is pain
• Truth and my lies right now are falling like rain
• So let the river run”- River by Eminem
• “I see both sides like Chanel
• See on both sides like Chanel”- Chanel by Frank Ocean
• ” Body Like a Back Road” By Sam Hunt

Similes have often been utilized in popular advertisements and memorable brand slogans. Take a look at a couple of old favourites. 

• State Farm Insurance – “Like a good neighbour” 
• Doritos Snack Chips – “Taste like awesome feels”
• Chevrolet Trucks – “Like a rock” 
• Honda Cars – “The Honda’s ride is as smooth as a gazelle in the Sahara. Its comfort is like a hug from Nana.”
• Almonds Joy/Mounds Candy – “Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t.” 

Similes are a terrific way to spice up regular writing by conjuring up a vivid image with only a few words. Consider the following sentences:

• Adam walked across the room with purpose. 
• Adam moved across the room like a warship sailing into battle.

The first sentence is fairly uninteresting. The comparison in the second phase, on the other hand, allows the reader to imagine an old-fashioned vessel heading to battle: majestic, resolute, proud, and maybe dangerous. It portrays Adam as a commanding figure and suggests that once he gets to the other side of the room, he’ll be plotting something major.

The below-mentioned examples of similes all follow the “as___as” format: 

• She was as sly as a fox 
• That knife is as sharp as a razor
• He’s as sick as a dog 
• It was as big as an elephant 
• He is as bright as a button
• She’s as cold as ice
• It’s as tough as an old boot
• He’s as good as gold
• It’s as dry as a bone out there
• The car is as clean as a whistle

Written under are the examples of similes using the “__like__” format: 

• She eats like a pig 
• She ran like lightning 
• He looks like a fish out of water
• She slept like a log 
• It was soft like velvet 
• Life is like a box of chocolates
• It leaked like a sieve
• It cuts like butter
• The aeroplane soared like an eagle
• The shark had teeth like razors

The questions where one has to identify whether the given sentence is a simile or a metaphor are the trickiest. Thus, while understanding or going through the examples of similes, it is important to understand the difference between similes and metaphors. The latest understanding of the difference between the two- 

Venue comparison is made using connecting words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’ when the sentence refers to a simile. Whereas, whenever a direct relationship is established between two things, the sentence is a metaphor in nature.

For Example:

• He seemed bright like the sun when I met him last. 
• He is the son and the sun of the family. 

The first sentence depicts the use of simile whereas the second one is a metaphor. 

Metaphors are considered to be stronger because they directly cite a comparison between things rather than just indicating that they are similar. On the other hand, similes are majorly used for comparison where the readers are assisted in understanding a subtle connection between things.

Hyperbole, or exaggeration, is frequently used in similes. Example:

• You are as sweet as honey. 
• You dance like an angel 

Similes concentrate on a single component of a comparison, preventing hyperbolic comments from sounding exaggerated. Consider the following sentences:

• Lara is a mean snake.
• Lara is as mean as a snake.

The first version is a metaphor, but it’s so straightforward that it comes across as sloppy or infantile. The second version, a simile, stresses the trait Lora has in common with a snake, namely, meanness. Figurative language is a great approach to spice up your writing by adding intrigue and images. So, the next time you’re having trouble coming up with the proper words for a description, consider using a simile that’s as flawless as a diamond.

Read more about Present Indefinite Tense Here

• Jesse is as sly as a :

A. snake B. fly C. fox D. elephant

• My grandmother is as sweet as :

A. vinegar B. potatoes C. a carrot D. strawberry jam

• That sidewalk is as slippery as :

A. a pancake B. glass C. sand D. bark

• When school let out for the summer, I felt as free as a :

A. bird B. prisoner C. dollar D. bicycle

• That fence is as solid as :

A. a pillow B. a rock C. fog D. an open window

• Amber can run as fast as :

A. the wind B. an elephant C. a turtle D. a snowstorm

• The road went off into the distance as straight as :

A. a bowling ball B. a cyclone C. a figure-eight D. an arrow

• My mouth was as dry as :

A. an ice cube B. a shower C. dust D. a river

• The night was as black as :

A. snow B. a sunset C. coal D. a flower

• My grandfather’s mind is still as sharp as :

A. an eraser B. a dull knife C. a tack D. a pillow

For those who require more in-depth assistance, a US  assignment writing service  can provide further guidance and support in understanding and applying literary devices like similes.

The main purpose of a simile, which is a figure of speech, is to compare two or more things that have a similar quality. It compares things using words like “like” or “as.”

A simile is described as “a term or phrase that compares something to something else, using the words like or as” in the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. A simile is described as “a term comparing one thing with another, always incorporating the words as or like” by the Cambridge Dictionary. According to the Collins Dictionary, a simile is an expression that describes a person or thing as being similar to someone or something else. A simile is “a figure of speech comparing two, unlike things that are often introduced by like or as,” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

A simile is a straightforward comparison of two like or disparate items. A simile aids the reader or listener in seeing, comprehending, and developing a better understanding of the characteristics of the words being compared. It becomes much more vivid and detailed as a result. In other words, similes may be utilised to help your reader or listener form an image in their mind.

Hope you found this blog on the definition and examples of similes interesting and useful. Preparing for competitive exams like TOEFL or IELTS? Give a boost to your preparation by joining Leverage Live classes, where you can access live interactive sessions by top experts along with the best study material and exclusive doubt clearance sessions that will enable you to ace your exam and get your dream score. Register for a demo session with us today! Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

Digvijay Singh

Having 2+ years of experience in educational content writing, withholding a Bachelor's in Physical Education and Sports Science and a strong interest in writing educational content for students enrolled in domestic and foreign study abroad programmes. I believe in offering a distinct viewpoint to the table, to help students deal with the complexities of both domestic and foreign educational systems. Through engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, I aim to inspire my readers to embark on their educational journeys, whether abroad or at home, and to make the most of every learning opportunity that comes their way.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

10 comments

I like this website

Thank you, Abdulkader! Here are some blogs for you to enjoy: https://leverageedu.com/blog/common-proverbs/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/antonyms/

Thank you, it’s helpful

Thank you, Nabi! Here are some blogs for you to enjoy: https://leverageedu.com/blog/antonyms/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/metaphors/

Thank you so much.The content was edifying.

Thank you for the comment! Here are some blogs for you to explore- https://leverageedu.com/blog/antonyms/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/common-proverbs/

Now I know similes.

Hi Yvette! Glad to know that our blog helped you.

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons

Margin Size

• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

4.20: Writing Assignment: Figure of Speech Poem

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 87405

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

Write a poem that incorporates a figure of speech: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or understatement. You may write it in first-person point of view (I, me, my, we, us, etc.) or third-person point of view (he, she, it, they, etc.) Here is a list of poem suggestions:

• Write a nature poem using a simile like Carl Sandburg did in “Fog.” Be sure to use the word  like or  as .
• Choose an abstract noun (peace, hate, joy, etc.) and write a poem using an extended metaphor like Emily Dickinson did in “Hope is the Thing with Feathers.” Be sure the abstract noun is compared to a concrete noun (something the reader can visualize) by using the word  is.
• Choose an inanimate object and personify it like Robert Frost did in “Storm Fear.”
• Create an original hyperbole and use the line in a poem like Robert Frost did in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”
• Write a narrative poem that shows understatement like Mary Howitt’s poem “The Spider and the Fly.”

You get the idea, right? Brainstorm a list of your own ideas, avariation of one of the above, or use one of the above ideas.

Show Don’t Tell

Remember to use specific nouns and strong action verbs. Remember to use your senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell. Of course, poets use less words than fictional writers, too.

Line Breaks

Follow the traditional line breaks and format that most free-verse poets use. Make the line breaks where there is punctuation, an end of a phrase, or the end of a sentence.

Final Draft Instructions

Follow these instructions for typing the final draft:

• The poem must be typed in a Microsoft Word file (.docx).
• It must have one-inch margins, be single-spaced, and typed in a 12 pt. readable font like Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial.
• Don’t allow the auto-correct in Microsoft Word to capitalize the first line of each poem. Use conventional English rules to write your lines.
• In the upper left-hand corner of page 1, type your first and last name, the name of the class, the date the assignment is due, and the assignment name. Example:

Jane Doe ENGL 1465–Creative Writing Due Date: Writing Assignment: Figure of Speech Poem

• Be sure to give your poem a title. Do not bold, enlarge, or punctuate the title. Capitalize the first word and each important word in the title.
• Writing Assignment: Figure of Speech Poem. Authored by : Linda Frances Lein, M.F.A. License : CC BY: Attribution

Mastering Similes: Definition & Practical Guide

What is a simile, how to identify similes, how to use similes in writing, common mistakes when using similes, examples of similes in literature, how to practice using similes, why similes matter in communication.

Have you ever noticed how some words or phrases in a conversation or a book make you visualize something vividly? That's often the magic of similes at work. In this blog, we're going to explore the realm of similes, starting from the very definition of simile, all the way to mastering their usage in everyday communication. So let's get started!

Let's start at the beginning. The definition of simile is a figure of speech that involves the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind. This is usually done to make a description more emphatic or vivid. If you've ever heard someone say they're "as hungry as a bear" or that something is "as easy as pie", then you've encountered a simile.

Here are some key points to remember when identifying a simile:

• Similes use direct comparisons. That means they'll often use words like 'as' or 'like' to compare two different things.
• They're used to create vivid imagery. When someone says they're "as brave as a lion", you immediately picture a fearless, strong person, right?
• Similes can be found in all sorts of writing, from songs and poems to novels and even in our daily conversations!

If you've ever used a phrase like "sleeping like a log" or "working like a bee", then guess what? You've already been using similes. You see, similes aren't as scary as you might have thought. In fact, you're probably more familiar with them than you realize!

Now that we've covered the definition of simile, let's move on to identifying them in different contexts. This will help you become a simile master in no time!

Identifying similes can be akin to playing a fun word game. The key is to look for comparisons. Similes often use the words 'like' or 'as' to compare two things. But how exactly do you spot these cleverly hidden similes?

• Look for the words 'like' or 'as'. These two words are the most common indicators that a simile is being used. For instance, "She ran like the wind."
• Pay attention to comparisons. Similes always involve comparing one thing with another. If you find a sentence comparing two different things, it might be a simile!
• Watch out for exaggerations. Similes often use dramatic or exaggerated comparisons to make a point. If you read a phrase that seems exaggerated for effect, it could be a simile.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you read and the more you look for similes, the easier it will be to spot them. And who knows? You might start finding similes in the most unexpected places. A comic strip? A billboard? An advertisement? The world is full of similes waiting to be discovered!

Now that you know how to identify a simile, let's learn how to use them in writing. This is where you'll truly start to see the power of similes and why they're such an important tool in communication.

Have you ever wanted to add a touch of magic to your writing? Similes can do just that. They bring words to life, transforming ordinary sentences into vivid images. But how do you incorporate similes in your writing? Here are some simple steps to get you started.

• Start with a basic sentence. Let's say you're writing about a stormy night. You might start with a simple sentence like, "The night was stormy."
• Think of a comparison. What does a stormy night remind you of? Perhaps it's as loud as a drum, as terrifying as a monster, or as unpredictable as a toddler.
• Add the simile. Now, incorporate your comparison into the sentence. For example, "The stormy night was as unpredictable as a toddler."

Voila! You've just used a simile in your writing. It's that simple. Remember, a well-placed simile can paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind, making your writing more engaging and evocative. So, don't forget to sprinkle some similes in your next writing assignment, poem or story!

But be careful. While similes can enhance your writing, they can also become a pitfall if misused. Let's take a closer look at some common mistakes to avoid when using similes.

Similes, when used correctly, can transform your writing. However, they can also trip you up if you're not cautious. Here's a list of some common mistakes that writers often make when using similes.

• Using clichés. Similes like "as busy as a bee" or "as clear as crystal" have been used so often that they've lost their impact. Try to think outside the box and create your own, unique comparisons.
• Forcing a simile. If you're struggling to come up with a simile, don't force one. It's better to have no simile than a poorly constructed or unnecessary one.
• Confusing similes with metaphors. Remember, a simile uses "like" or "as" to make a comparison, while a metaphor makes a direct comparison. For example, "John runs like the wind" is a simile, but "John is the wind when he runs" is a metaphor.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can master the art of using similes in your writing. This not only enhances your writing style but also helps your readers visualize and connect with your content more effectively. So, keep practicing, and soon enough, you'll be creating similes as naturally as breathing!

Now, let's look at some famous examples of similes in literature to inspire you and demonstrate how similes can be used effectively.

If there's one place where you can find an abundance of similes, it's in literature. Authors have long used this powerful tool to paint vivid pictures in the minds of their readers. Let's explore some of the best examples of similes in literature.

• From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou: "She was thin as a promise, with a complexion like summer peaches."

Here, Angelou provides a definition of simile that's simply poetic. She compares a woman's thinness to a promise and her complexion to summer peaches, making the description vivid and memorable.

• From "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: "It was as though a veil had been ripped away and life was something new, raw, and overwhelming."

Fitzgerald uses a simile to communicate the raw emotions of a character, making the feelings more tangible for the reader.

• From "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee: "People moved slowly then. They ambled across the square, shuffled in and out of the stores around it, took their time about everything. A day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer. There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County. But it was a time of vague optimism for some of the people: Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself."

Lee's simile captures the slow pace of life in a small town, making the reader feel as if they're experiencing it firsthand.

These examples highlight how similes can add depth and richness to your writing, enhancing your reader's experience. They illustrate the true power of a well-placed simile and provide a practical guide to mastering this literary device.

Just like any other skill, mastering similes requires a bit of practice. But don't worry—it doesn't have to be a difficult task. Here are some simple ways to sharpen your simile skills.

• Read Regularly: Reading literature, poetry, and even good quality blogs can expose you to a wide array of similes. Take note of similes that you find particularly striking. You'll soon start to get a feel for how and when to use them effectively.
• Start with Simple Comparisons: Begin by making simple comparisons in your everyday conversations. For instance, you could say, "My little brother is as fast as a cheetah" or "The sun is like a giant orange ball in the sky". The key here is to think about the properties of the things you are comparing.
• Experiment with Your Writing: Whenever you're writing—be it an email, a school essay, or a journal entry—try to incorporate at least one simile. This will help you to become more comfortable with the concept.
• Use Visual Aids: Visuals can be a great help when it comes to understanding and creating similes. Draw or find images of the objects you're comparing. This can make the abstract idea of a simile more concrete.

Remember, the key to mastering similes is to practice regularly and consciously. With time, you'll start finding it easier to use them in your writing and conversations. So why not start practicing today? After all, practice makes perfect—or, to use a simile, practice is like a key that unlocks the door to mastery.

Ever wondered why we even bother with similes? What's the point of saying, "She's as busy as a bee," instead of just, "She's very busy"? Well, there's more to similes than just a fancy way of saying things. They actually play a crucial role in communication, and here's why:

• Clarify Meaning: Similes can help clarify meaning by drawing a comparison to something familiar. If someone says, "The computer's memory is like a giant filing cabinet," you immediately get a clear picture of what they mean.
• Add Vividness to Language: Similes can make your communication more interesting and vivid. Saying, "He's as brave as a lion," paints a more powerful image than just saying, "He's very brave."
• Engage the Listener or Reader: Similes can make your message more engaging. They require the listener or reader to actively engage with your message, as they have to imagine the comparison you're making.
• Convey Emotion: Similes can be a powerful tool for conveying emotion. For instance, saying, "I'm as happy as a clam at high water" can express a level of joy that's hard to communicate with just a simple, "I'm happy."

So, the next time you're crafting a message, whether it's an email, a speech, or a novel, remember the humble simile. It's more than just a decorative tool—it's a powerful instrument that can make your communication clearer, more vivid, and more engaging. And isn't that what great communication is all about?

If you enjoyed our blog post on mastering similes and want to explore more creative techniques, check out Juliet Schreckinger's workshop, ' Composing Complex Illustrations using Basic Shapes .' While this workshop focuses on visual art, the principles of using simple elements to create complex and engaging compositions can be applied to your writing as well. Expand your creative horizons and learn new ways to elevate your work.

Live classes every day

Learn from industry-leading creators

Get useful feedback from experts and peers

Best deal of the year

* billed annually after the trial ends.

*Billed monthly after the trial ends.

Do you have hair that flows like a waterfall? Or hair that is as curly as a corkscrew? Are your eyes as blue as the ocean? Or are your eyes brown like chocolate?

These descriptions are all similes. Similes that may describe you! But what are similes, exactly? And how are they used?

Similes are a type of figurative language . Figurative language uses figures of speech to make written and verbal communication more effective, easier to understand, and more striking. Similes are a specific type of figurative language called imagery. There are several different types of imagery, but we’ll stick with similes for this video.

Similes use the word like or as to compare two unlike things. This comparison helps to bring out different qualities in the words, helping the audience to see the words in new ways.

Simile Examples

Some examples of similes used in everyday speech are:

He is as strong as an ox! She can swim like a fish!

The first simile uses the word as to compare a man to an ox. By comparing a man to an ox, you get the full impact of his strength. It would otherwise be flat and boring if you just said he was very strong.

The second simile uses the word like to compare a woman to a fish. By doing this, you can get a picture of how well she swims that a simple “she’s a good swimmer” would not quite convey.

Similes do not have to compare people to animals. There are many similes that compare a person to an object, or even one object to another:

The clean tablecloth was as white as snow. The new car drove like a dream.

As you can see, these items are not people or animals, but instead objects. However, these similes still use the words like or as to compare two unlike items.

Having the word as appear twice in a simile can be confusing. It can be hard to tell what is being compared. Just remember to look for the noun in the sentence. What or who is being described? Comparing the tablecloth’s color to snow helps the audience to “see” how white and clean it really is.

Similes that use the word like are a bit easier. Driving the car is a positive experience, like a good dream. That comparison can evoke thoughts of a smooth ride, a fast drive, or even the wind blowing in your hair as you cruise along the beach. Such a simple simile can bring together so many new ideas!

Similes are not just used in speech, however. Songs often use similes as well to make comparisons and draw attention to images and ideas. Like in the song “Flying Trapeze” by Alfred Lee and George Leybourne:

“Once I was happy, but now I’m forlorn; like an old coat that is tattered and torn.”

The writer of the song used the word “like” to compare being forlorn to an old coat. As silly as the song is, the image of the tattered and torn coat really helps to bring the depression of the singer to life. Without similes, many songs would seem lifeless and dull!

Similes are also often used in poetry . In the poem “A Red, Red Rose,” Robert Burns uses a simile to describe his love:

O my love is like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June; My love is like the melody That’s sweetly played in tune.

By comparing his love to both a rose, which is a symbol of love in many cultures and also to a sweet melody, you get much more out of the poem than just love. The rose gives you color (red) the sweet scent of a rose, the soft velvetiness of its petals, and maybe even the sting of the rose’s thorns. Like a rose, love can be complex and much more than just pretty. Melodies and music also have connotations of their own. “Played in tune” gives you an indication that things are going smoothly; that there are not out-of-tune parts to his love.

Novels also use similes to bring characters and settings to life. An example of this occurs in Jane Austen’s book, Pride and Prejudice . The main love interest, Darcy, says,

“I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love.”

By comparing poetry to food, you can see the importance he places on it. It is much more impactful to the reader than the character just stating that he finds poetry important in romance. This also helps to give us insight into his personality, making him a deeper, more well-rounded character.

As you can see, similes help to make language more colorful and easier to understand. Similes help bring new color and life into mundane objects. They are an important part of songs, poetry, and even everyday speech. What similes do you use in your day-to-day speech? Can you spot similes in the things you read or listen to?

I hope that this video has helped you understand more about similes.

Thanks so much for watching. See you next time!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a simile.

A simile is a type of figurative writing that compares two things using the words like or as . Here are a few examples:

“She is as busy as a bee.” “This room is about as big as a breadbox.” “Their eyes sparkled like diamonds.” “Mark and Will were fighting like cats and dogs.”

What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?

Simply put, a simile describes something as being like or as something else, while a metaphor describes one thing as literally being another thing.

What is an example of a simile?

A simile compares two things using the words like or as . Here are a few examples:

“He was as strong as an ox.” “My computer is running as slow as molasses.” “Is it true that she can swim like a dolphin?” “I’d rather not stick out like a sore thumb.”

What is an epic simile?

An epic simile is a simile that is extended over several lines of text, often found in epic poetry.

Simile Practice Questions

  Which of the following contains a simile?

The water looked very cold.

The water looked as cold as ice.

The water looked colder than ice.

The water looked cold enough to be ice.

Similes compare two things using like or as . In this case, the water is being compared to ice by using the word as .

  Which of the following literary excerpts contains a simile?

The sun in the west was a drop of burning gold that slid near and nearer the sill of the world.

The sun was a toddler insistently refusing to go to bed.

Kate inched over her own thoughts like a measuring worm.

My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.

In this case, the word like is used to compare two things. Choice C compares Kate to a measuring worm. Choices A, B, and D are examples of metaphor, not simile.

  Which of the following lyrics contains a simile?

Like a rock, I was strong as I could be.

To the heart and mind, ignorance is kind.

My heart is an open highway.

You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes.

In this case, the word like is used to compare two things. Choice C compares the person’s heart to an open highway. Choices A, B, and D are examples of personification, not simile.

She launched into a long-winded spiel as we sat and tried to stay awake.

Her story, as long and drawn out as it was, was pretty entertaining.

As much as she tried to explain things clearly, we ended up not understanding the assignment.

Her long, drawn-out explanation was about as clear as mud.

You probably noticed that all four answer choices use the word as , which is one of the words that can indicate a simile. In this case, only Choice D uses the word to compare two things (her explanation to mud).

  Which of the following poem excerpts does NOT contain a simile?

Now we are as the deer Who walk in single file With heads high With ears forward With eyes watchful.

When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Jerry’s mind wandered during class Like a balloon floating up in the air. While he daydreamed about eating lunch His stomach growled loud like a bear.

Twinkle, twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.

Choice A uses the word as to compare we to the deer, Choice C uses the word like to compare Jerry’s mind to a balloon, and Choice D uses the word like to compare the star to a diamond. Choice B contains personification, giving the human characteristic of dancing to the daffodils.

Return to Writing Videos

by Mometrix Test Preparation | This Page Last Updated: December 27, 2023

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Understanding Writing Assignments

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

How to Decipher the Paper Assignment

Many instructors write their assignment prompts differently. By following a few steps, you can better understand the requirements for the assignment. The best way, as always, is to ask the instructor about anything confusing.

• Read the prompt the entire way through once. This gives you an overall view of what is going on.
• Underline or circle the portions that you absolutely must know. This information may include due date, research (source) requirements, page length, and format (MLA, APA, CMS).
• Underline or circle important phrases. You should know your instructor at least a little by now - what phrases do they use in class? Does he repeatedly say a specific word? If these are in the prompt, you know the instructor wants you to use them in the assignment.
• Think about how you will address the prompt. The prompt contains clues on how to write the assignment. Your instructor will often describe the ideas they want discussed either in questions, in bullet points, or in the text of the prompt. Think about each of these sentences and number them so that you can write a paragraph or section of your essay on that portion if necessary.
• Rank ideas in descending order, from most important to least important. Instructors may include more questions or talking points than you can cover in your assignment, so rank them in the order you think is more important. One area of the prompt may be more interesting to you than another.
• Ask your instructor questions if you have any.

After you are finished with these steps, ask yourself the following:

• What is the purpose of this assignment? Is my purpose to provide information without forming an argument, to construct an argument based on research, or analyze a poem and discuss its imagery?
• Who is my audience? Is my instructor my only audience? Who else might read this? Will it be posted online? What are my readers' needs and expectations?
• What resources do I need to begin work? Do I need to conduct literature (hermeneutic or historical) research, or do I need to review important literature on the topic and then conduct empirical research, such as a survey or an observation? How many sources are required?
• Who - beyond my instructor - can I contact to help me if I have questions? Do you have a writing lab or student service center that offers tutorials in writing?

(Notes on prompts made in blue )

Poster or Song Analysis: Poster or Song? Poster!

Goals : To systematically consider the rhetorical choices made in either a poster or a song. She says that all the time.

Things to Consider: ah- talking points

• how the poster addresses its audience and is affected by context I'll do this first - 1.
• general layout, use of color, contours of light and shade, etc.
• use of contrast, alignment, repetition, and proximity C.A.R.P. They say that, too. I'll do this third - 3.
• the point of view the viewer is invited to take, poses of figures in the poster, etc. any text that may be present
• possible cultural ramifications or social issues that have bearing I'll cover this second - 2.
• ethical implications
• how the poster affects us emotionally, or what mood it evokes
• the poster's implicit argument and its effectiveness said that was important in class, so I'll discuss this last - 4.
• how the song addresses its audience
• lyrics: how they rhyme, repeat, what they say
• use of music, tempo, different instruments
• possible cultural ramifications or social issues that have bearing
• emotional effects
• the implicit argument and its effectiveness

These thinking points are not a step-by-step guideline on how to write your paper; instead, they are various means through which you can approach the subject. I do expect to see at least a few of them addressed, and there are other aspects that may be pertinent to your choice that have not been included in these lists. You will want to find a central idea and base your argument around that. Additionally, you must include a copy of the poster or song that you are working with. Really important!

I will be your audience. This is a formal paper, and you should use academic conventions throughout.

Length: 4 pages Format: Typed, double-spaced, 10-12 point Times New Roman, 1 inch margins I need to remember the format stuff. I messed this up last time =(

Academic Argument Essay

5-7 pages, Times New Roman 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins.

Minimum of five cited sources: 3 must be from academic journals or books

• Design Plan due: Thurs. 10/19
• Rough Draft due: Monday 10/30
• Final Draft due: Thurs. 11/9

Remember this! I missed the deadline last time

The design plan is simply a statement of purpose, as described on pages 40-41 of the book, and an outline. The outline may be formal, as we discussed in class, or a printout of an Open Mind project. It must be a minimum of 1 page typed information, plus 1 page outline.

This project is an expansion of your opinion editorial. While you should avoid repeating any of your exact phrases from Project 2, you may reuse some of the same ideas. Your topic should be similar. You must use research to support your position, and you must also demonstrate a fairly thorough knowledge of any opposing position(s). 2 things to do - my position and the opposite.

Your essay should begin with an introduction that encapsulates your topic and indicates 1 the general trajectory of your argument. You need to have a discernable thesis that appears early in your paper. Your conclusion should restate the thesis in different words, 2 and then draw some additional meaningful analysis out of the developments of your argument. Think of this as a "so what" factor. What are some implications for the future, relating to your topic? What does all this (what you have argued) mean for society, or for the section of it to which your argument pertains? A good conclusion moves outside the topic in the paper and deals with a larger issue.

You should spend at least one paragraph acknowledging and describing the opposing position in a manner that is respectful and honestly representative of the opposition’s 3 views. The counterargument does not need to occur in a certain area, but generally begins or ends your argument. Asserting and attempting to prove each aspect of your argument’s structure should comprise the majority of your paper. Ask yourself what your argument assumes and what must be proven in order to validate your claims. Then go step-by-step, paragraph-by-paragraph, addressing each facet of your position. Most important part!

Finally, pay attention to readability . Just because this is a research paper does not mean that it has to be boring. Use examples and allow your opinion to show through word choice and tone. Proofread before you turn in the paper. Your audience is generally the academic community and specifically me, as a representative of that community. Ok, They want this to be easy to read, to contain examples I find, and they want it to be grammatically correct. I can visit the tutoring center if I get stuck, or I can email the OWL Email Tutors short questions if I have any more problems.

Synonyms of assignment

• as in lesson
• as in appointment
• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Thesaurus Definition of assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• responsibility
• undertaking
• requirement
• designation
• appointment
• authorization
• installment
• installation
• destination
• emplacement
• investiture
• singling (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dethronement

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun assignment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assignment are chore , duty , job , stint , and task . While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

When is it sensible to use chore instead of assignment ?

While the synonyms chore and assignment are close in meaning, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

When is duty a more appropriate choice than assignment ?

Although the words duty and assignment have much in common, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

When might job be a better fit than assignment ?

The synonyms job and assignment are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

When could stint be used to replace assignment ?

In some situations, the words stint and assignment are roughly equivalent. However, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

When can task be used instead of assignment ?

The meanings of task and assignment largely overlap; however, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

Thesaurus Entries Near assignment

assignments

Cite this Entry

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assignment. Accessed 4 Jun. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on assignment

Nglish: Translation of assignment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of assignment for Arabic Speakers

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More commonly misspelled words, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, the words of the week - may 31, pilfer: how to play and win, 9 superb owl words, 10 words for lesser-known games and sports, etymologies for every day of the week, games & quizzes.

• Privacy Policy

Home » Assignment – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Assignment – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Definition:

Assignment is a task given to students by a teacher or professor, usually as a means of assessing their understanding and application of course material. Assignments can take various forms, including essays, research papers, presentations, problem sets, lab reports, and more.

Assignments are typically designed to be completed outside of class time and may require independent research, critical thinking, and analysis. They are often graded and used as a significant component of a student’s overall course grade. The instructions for an assignment usually specify the goals, requirements, and deadlines for completion, and students are expected to meet these criteria to earn a good grade.

History of Assignment

The use of assignments as a tool for teaching and learning has been a part of education for centuries. Following is a brief history of the Assignment.

• Ancient Times: Assignments such as writing exercises, recitations, and memorization tasks were used to reinforce learning.
• Medieval Period : Universities began to develop the concept of the assignment, with students completing essays, commentaries, and translations to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
• 19th Century : With the growth of schools and universities, assignments became more widespread and were used to assess student progress and achievement.
• 20th Century: The rise of distance education and online learning led to the further development of assignments as an integral part of the educational process.
• Present Day: Assignments continue to be used in a variety of educational settings and are seen as an effective way to promote student learning and assess student achievement. The nature and format of assignments continue to evolve in response to changing educational needs and technological innovations.

Types of Assignment

Here are some of the most common types of assignments:

An essay is a piece of writing that presents an argument, analysis, or interpretation of a topic or question. It usually consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Essay structure:

• Introduction : introduces the topic and thesis statement
• Body paragraphs : each paragraph presents a different argument or idea, with evidence and analysis to support it
• Conclusion : summarizes the key points and reiterates the thesis statement

Research paper

A research paper involves gathering and analyzing information on a particular topic, and presenting the findings in a well-structured, documented paper. It usually involves conducting original research, collecting data, and presenting it in a clear, organized manner.

Research paper structure:

• Title page : includes the title of the paper, author’s name, date, and institution
• Abstract : summarizes the paper’s main points and conclusions
• Introduction : provides background information on the topic and research question
• Literature review: summarizes previous research on the topic
• Methodology : explains how the research was conducted
• Results : presents the findings of the research
• Discussion : interprets the results and draws conclusions
• Conclusion : summarizes the key findings and implications

A case study involves analyzing a real-life situation, problem or issue, and presenting a solution or recommendations based on the analysis. It often involves extensive research, data analysis, and critical thinking.

Case study structure:

• Introduction : introduces the case study and its purpose
• Background : provides context and background information on the case
• Analysis : examines the key issues and problems in the case
• Solution/recommendations: proposes solutions or recommendations based on the analysis
• Conclusion: Summarize the key points and implications

A lab report is a scientific document that summarizes the results of a laboratory experiment or research project. It typically includes an introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

Lab report structure:

• Title page : includes the title of the experiment, author’s name, date, and institution
• Abstract : summarizes the purpose, methodology, and results of the experiment
• Methods : explains how the experiment was conducted
• Results : presents the findings of the experiment

Presentation

A presentation involves delivering information, data or findings to an audience, often with the use of visual aids such as slides, charts, or diagrams. It requires clear communication skills, good organization, and effective use of technology.

Presentation structure:

• Introduction : introduces the topic and purpose of the presentation
• Body : presents the main points, findings, or data, with the help of visual aids
• Conclusion : summarizes the key points and provides a closing statement

Creative Project

A creative project is an assignment that requires students to produce something original, such as a painting, sculpture, video, or creative writing piece. It allows students to demonstrate their creativity and artistic skills.

Creative project structure:

• Introduction : introduces the project and its purpose
• Body : presents the creative work, with explanations or descriptions as needed
• Conclusion : summarizes the key elements and reflects on the creative process.

Examples of Assignments

Following are Examples of Assignment templates samples:

Essay template:

I. Introduction

• Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a catchy opening sentence.
• Background: Provide some context or background information on the topic.
• Thesis statement: State the main argument or point of your essay.

II. Body paragraphs

• Topic sentence: Introduce the main idea or argument of the paragraph.
• Evidence: Provide evidence or examples to support your point.
• Analysis: Explain how the evidence supports your argument.
• Transition: Use a transition sentence to lead into the next paragraph.

III. Conclusion

• Restate thesis: Summarize your main argument or point.
• Review key points: Summarize the main points you made in your essay.
• Concluding thoughts: End with a final thought or call to action.

Research paper template:

I. Title page

• Title: Give your paper a descriptive title.
• Author: Include your name and institutional affiliation.
• Date: Provide the date the paper was submitted.

II. Abstract

• Background: Summarize the background and purpose of your research.
• Methodology: Describe the methods you used to conduct your research.
• Results: Summarize the main findings of your research.
• Conclusion: Provide a brief summary of the implications and conclusions of your research.

III. Introduction

• Background: Provide some background information on the topic.
• Research question: State your research question or hypothesis.
• Purpose: Explain the purpose of your research.

IV. Literature review

• Background: Summarize previous research on the topic.
• Gaps in research: Identify gaps or areas that need further research.

V. Methodology

• Participants: Describe the participants in your study.
• Procedure: Explain the procedure you used to conduct your research.
• Measures: Describe the measures you used to collect data.

VI. Results

• Quantitative results: Summarize the quantitative data you collected.
• Qualitative results: Summarize the qualitative data you collected.

VII. Discussion

• Interpretation: Interpret the results and explain what they mean.
• Implications: Discuss the implications of your research.
• Limitations: Identify any limitations or weaknesses of your research.

VIII. Conclusion

• Review key points: Summarize the main points you made in your paper.

Case study template:

• Background: Provide background information on the case.
• Research question: State the research question or problem you are examining.
• Purpose: Explain the purpose of the case study.

II. Analysis

• Problem: Identify the main problem or issue in the case.
• Factors: Describe the factors that contributed to the problem.
• Alternative solutions: Describe potential solutions to the problem.

III. Solution/recommendations

• Proposed solution: Describe the solution you are proposing.
• Rationale: Explain why this solution is the best one.
• Implementation: Describe how the solution can be implemented.

IV. Conclusion

• Summary: Summarize the main points of your case study.

Lab report template:

• Title: Give your report a descriptive title.
• Date: Provide the date the report was submitted.
• Background: Summarize the background and purpose of the experiment.
• Methodology: Describe the methods you used to conduct the experiment.
• Results: Summarize the main findings of the experiment.
• Conclusion: Provide a brief summary of the implications and conclusions
• Background: Provide some background information on the experiment.
• Hypothesis: State your hypothesis or research question.
• Purpose: Explain the purpose of the experiment.

IV. Materials and methods

• Materials: List the materials and equipment used in the experiment.
• Procedure: Describe the procedure you followed to conduct the experiment.
• Data: Present the data you collected in tables or graphs.
• Analysis: Analyze the data and describe the patterns or trends you observed.

VI. Discussion

• Implications: Discuss the implications of your findings.
• Limitations: Identify any limitations or weaknesses of the experiment.

VII. Conclusion

• Restate hypothesis: Summarize your hypothesis or research question.
• Review key points: Summarize the main points you made in your report.

Presentation template:

• Attention grabber: Grab the audience’s attention with a catchy opening.
• Purpose: Explain the purpose of your presentation.
• Overview: Provide an overview of what you will cover in your presentation.

II. Main points

• Main point 1: Present the first main point of your presentation.
• Supporting details: Provide supporting details or evidence to support your point.
• Main point 2: Present the second main point of your presentation.
• Main point 3: Present the third main point of your presentation.
• Summary: Summarize the main points of your presentation.
• Call to action: End with a final thought or call to action.

Creative writing template:

• Setting: Describe the setting of your story.
• Characters: Introduce the main characters of your story.
• Rising action: Introduce the conflict or problem in your story.
• Climax: Present the most intense moment of the story.
• Falling action: Resolve the conflict or problem in your story.
• Resolution: Describe how the conflict or problem was resolved.
• Final thoughts: End with a final thought or reflection on the story.

How to Write Assignment

Here is a general guide on how to write an assignment:

• Understand the assignment prompt: Before you begin writing, make sure you understand what the assignment requires. Read the prompt carefully and make note of any specific requirements or guidelines.
• Research and gather information: Depending on the type of assignment, you may need to do research to gather information to support your argument or points. Use credible sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
• Organize your ideas : Once you have gathered all the necessary information, organize your ideas into a clear and logical structure. Consider creating an outline or diagram to help you visualize your ideas.
• Write a draft: Begin writing your assignment using your organized ideas and research. Don’t worry too much about grammar or sentence structure at this point; the goal is to get your thoughts down on paper.
• Revise and edit: After you have written a draft, revise and edit your work. Make sure your ideas are presented in a clear and concise manner, and that your sentences and paragraphs flow smoothly.
• Proofread: Finally, proofread your work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. It’s a good idea to have someone else read over your assignment as well to catch any mistakes you may have missed.
• Submit your assignment : Once you are satisfied with your work, submit your assignment according to the instructions provided by your instructor or professor.

Applications of Assignment

Assignments have many applications across different fields and industries. Here are a few examples:

• Education : Assignments are a common tool used in education to help students learn and demonstrate their knowledge. They can be used to assess a student’s understanding of a particular topic, to develop critical thinking skills, and to improve writing and research abilities.
• Business : Assignments can be used in the business world to assess employee skills, to evaluate job performance, and to provide training opportunities. They can also be used to develop business plans, marketing strategies, and financial projections.
• Journalism : Assignments are often used in journalism to produce news articles, features, and investigative reports. Journalists may be assigned to cover a particular event or topic, or to research and write a story on a specific subject.
• Research : Assignments can be used in research to collect and analyze data, to conduct experiments, and to present findings in written or oral form. Researchers may be assigned to conduct research on a specific topic, to write a research paper, or to present their findings at a conference or seminar.
• Government : Assignments can be used in government to develop policy proposals, to conduct research, and to analyze data. Government officials may be assigned to work on a specific project or to conduct research on a particular topic.
• Non-profit organizations: Assignments can be used in non-profit organizations to develop fundraising strategies, to plan events, and to conduct research. Volunteers may be assigned to work on a specific project or to help with a particular task.

Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of an assignment varies depending on the context in which it is given. However, some common purposes of assignments include:

• Assessing learning: Assignments are often used to assess a student’s understanding of a particular topic or concept. This allows educators to determine if a student has mastered the material or if they need additional support.
• Developing skills: Assignments can be used to develop a wide range of skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, research, and communication. Assignments that require students to analyze and synthesize information can help to build these skills.
• Encouraging creativity: Assignments can be designed to encourage students to be creative and think outside the box. This can help to foster innovation and original thinking.
• Providing feedback : Assignments provide an opportunity for teachers to provide feedback to students on their progress and performance. Feedback can help students to understand where they need to improve and to develop a growth mindset.
• Meeting learning objectives : Assignments can be designed to help students meet specific learning objectives or outcomes. For example, a writing assignment may be designed to help students improve their writing skills, while a research assignment may be designed to help students develop their research skills.

When to write Assignment

Assignments are typically given by instructors or professors as part of a course or academic program. The timing of when to write an assignment will depend on the specific requirements of the course or program, but in general, assignments should be completed within the timeframe specified by the instructor or program guidelines.

It is important to begin working on assignments as soon as possible to ensure enough time for research, writing, and revisions. Waiting until the last minute can result in rushed work and lower quality output.

It is also important to prioritize assignments based on their due dates and the amount of work required. This will help to manage time effectively and ensure that all assignments are completed on time.

In addition to assignments given by instructors or professors, there may be other situations where writing an assignment is necessary. For example, in the workplace, assignments may be given to complete a specific project or task. In these situations, it is important to establish clear deadlines and expectations to ensure that the assignment is completed on time and to a high standard.

Characteristics of Assignment

Here are some common characteristics of assignments:

• Purpose : Assignments have a specific purpose, such as assessing knowledge or developing skills. They are designed to help students learn and achieve specific learning objectives.
• Requirements: Assignments have specific requirements that must be met, such as a word count, format, or specific content. These requirements are usually provided by the instructor or professor.
• Deadline: Assignments have a specific deadline for completion, which is usually set by the instructor or professor. It is important to meet the deadline to avoid penalties or lower grades.
• Individual or group work: Assignments can be completed individually or as part of a group. Group assignments may require collaboration and communication with other group members.
• Feedback : Assignments provide an opportunity for feedback from the instructor or professor. This feedback can help students to identify areas of improvement and to develop their skills.
• Academic integrity: Assignments require academic integrity, which means that students must submit original work and avoid plagiarism. This includes citing sources properly and following ethical guidelines.
• Learning outcomes : Assignments are designed to help students achieve specific learning outcomes. These outcomes are usually related to the course objectives and may include developing critical thinking skills, writing abilities, or subject-specific knowledge.

Advantages of Assignment

There are several advantages of assignment, including:

• Helps in learning: Assignments help students to reinforce their learning and understanding of a particular topic. By completing assignments, students get to apply the concepts learned in class, which helps them to better understand and retain the information.
• Develops critical thinking skills: Assignments often require students to think critically and analyze information in order to come up with a solution or answer. This helps to develop their critical thinking skills, which are important for success in many areas of life.
• Encourages creativity: Assignments that require students to create something, such as a piece of writing or a project, can encourage creativity and innovation. This can help students to develop new ideas and perspectives, which can be beneficial in many areas of life.
• Builds time-management skills: Assignments often come with deadlines, which can help students to develop time-management skills. Learning how to manage time effectively is an important skill that can help students to succeed in many areas of life.
• Provides feedback: Assignments provide an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their work. This feedback can help students to identify areas where they need to improve and can help them to grow and develop.

Limitations of Assignment

There are also some limitations of assignments that should be considered, including:

• Limited scope: Assignments are often limited in scope, and may not provide a comprehensive understanding of a particular topic. They may only cover a specific aspect of a topic, and may not provide a full picture of the subject matter.
• Lack of engagement: Some assignments may not engage students in the learning process, particularly if they are repetitive or not challenging enough. This can lead to a lack of motivation and interest in the subject matter.
• Time-consuming: Assignments can be time-consuming, particularly if they require a lot of research or writing. This can be a disadvantage for students who have other commitments, such as work or extracurricular activities.
• Unreliable assessment: The assessment of assignments can be subjective and may not always accurately reflect a student’s understanding or abilities. The grading may be influenced by factors such as the instructor’s personal biases or the student’s writing style.
• Lack of feedback : Although assignments can provide feedback, this feedback may not always be detailed or useful. Instructors may not have the time or resources to provide detailed feedback on every assignment, which can limit the value of the feedback that students receive.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Dissertation – Format, Example and Template

Chapter Summary & Overview – Writing Guide...

Research Summary – Structure, Examples and...

Scope of the Research – Writing Guide and...

Critical Analysis – Types, Examples and Writing...

Research Results Section – Writing Guide and...