A simile is a [figure of speech](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/figure-of-speech-guide) that compares two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” Common similes include the descriptive phrases “cool as a cucumber,” “cold as ice,” and “sly like a fox.” Writers often use similes to introduce concrete images into writing about abstract concepts. For example, in Winston Groom’s 1986 novel *Forrest Gump*, the author uses the simile “life is like a box of chocolate.” Similes are a great way to make <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing","linkCopy":"creative writing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>creative writing</a> more exciting and memorable without losing clarity. 
Similes and metaphors are both types of comparison and forms of figurative language. A simile is a type of [metaphor](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-metaphor), but there is a key difference between these literary terms. A simile compares two unrelated things using the words “like” or “as.” A metaphor, on the other hand, makes a direct comparison for rhetorical effect. 

Similes are simple comparisons to write because they follow an easy formula: "X is like Y.” Consider the following tips when writing similes:

- __Add visuals__. A simile can paint a picture of a particular character or situation in the reader’s mind. Make sure that the image is as vivid as possible.
- __Be clear__. Many strong similes use plain, everyday speech. Think about what you’re trying to compare and the context you’re doing it in. Does the simile fit the emotion of the scene? Does it fit the character or characters in that scene?
- __Think of original ideas__. Avoid [clichés](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-a-cliche-learn-when-to-use-cliches-in-writing-and-20-common-cliches-all-writers-should-avoid) or similes that are common. Think about the imagery you’re trying to evoke for the reader, and don’t pick the first comparison that comes to your mind—this is usually the easy choice, and it won’t be as powerful as your second or third idea. 
- __Use similes sparingly__. Similes are a great literary device to spice up your writing, but you should use similes sparingly; otherwise, they can become distracting to readers. 

The use of similes is widespread in song lyrics and literature because using similes can create vivid descriptions. Some famous simile examples from literature include:

1. __*Romeo and Juliet* (1597)__: In William Shakespeare’s play *Romeo and Juliet*, Lady Capulet likens the sight of her daughter’s death to that of a warning bell. “This sight of death is as a bell that warns my old age to a sepulcher.”
2. __“A Red, Red Rose” (1794)__: Scottish poet Robert Burns’s song “A Red, Red Rose” features several similes, comparing love to a rose. “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 played in tune.”
3. __“Daffodils” (1807)__: English poet William Wordsworth wrote the simile “I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills” in his 1807 poem “Daffodils.” 
4. __*A Christmas Carol* (1843)__: In [Charles Dickens](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/charles-dickens-life-and-career)’s *A Christmas Carol*, the character Ebenezer Scrooge uses the simile “dead as a doornail” to describe Marley’s death. 
5. __*The Adventure of the Three Gables* (1926)__: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novel *The Adventure of the Three Gables* creatively describes a character using this simile: “She entered with ungainly struggle like some huge awkward chicken, torn, squawking, out of its coop.”
6. __*The Handmaid’s Tale* (1985)__: [Margaret Atwood](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/margaret-atwood-teaches-creative-writing)’s dystopian novel *The Handmaid’s Tale* includes a simile likening a woman to sand. “Time has not stood still. It has washed over me, washed me away, as if I’m nothing more than a woman of sand, left by a careless child too near the water.”

Similes and metaphors are two closely related literary terms, and they are often confused for one another because they are both types of comparison and forms of figurative language (or non-literal language). 

In fact, similes are a type of metaphor, because metaphor is a general term to describe a comparison that is often poetic. Similes have two more specific attributes that make them a subset of metaphor: 

- __A simile uses__ *__like__* __or__ *__as__*. This is the most basic requirement of a simile, and it’s an easy one to notice—all similes use either *like* or *as* to make their comparison.
- __A simile is often more obvious than a metaphor__. Similes are relatively more obvious when compared to metaphors because of their use of *like* or *as*—those two words act as flags to indicate to readers that the comparison is a simile. By using *like* or *as*, readers can recognize that they should suspend their disbelief for the comparison, because the writer isn’t attempting to convince readers that X is Y (as a metaphor would), but merely invite them to notice that X is like Y.

Learn more about the [differences and similarities between metaphor and simile in our complete guide here](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/metaphor-similie-and-analogy-differences-and-similarities).



Whether you’re creating a story as an artistic exercise or trying to get the attention of publishing houses, learning how to correctly use literary devices like metaphor is essential to good writing. [Award-winning author Judy Blume](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/judy-blume-teaches-writing) has spent decades honing her craft. In her writing MasterClass, Judy provides insight into how to invent vivid characters, write realistic dialogue, and turn your experiences into stories people will treasure.

Want to become a better writer? [The MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) provides exclusive video lessons on plot, character development, creating suspense, and more, all taught by literary masters, including Judy Blume, Neil Gaiman, Dan Brown, Margaret Atwood, David Baldacci, and more.

Become a better writer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Billy Collins, Joy Harjo, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.
Comparisons are as standard in the English language as they are in writing. A simile is one of the simplest and most effective comparisons to make when writing.

Comparisons are as standard in the English language as they are in writing. A simile is one of the simplest and most effective comparisons to make when writing.


What Is a Simile? Definition and Examples of Simile in Literature

A simile is a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/figure-of-speech-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/figure-of-speech-guide","linkCopy":"figure of speech","category":null}'>figure of speech</a> that compares two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” Common similes include the descriptive phrases “cool as a cucumber,” “cold as ice,” and “sly like a fox.” Writers often use similes to introduce concrete images into writing about abstract concepts. For example, in Winston Groom’s 1986 novel Forrest Gump, the author uses the simile “life is like a box of chocolate.” Similes are a great way to make <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing","linkCopy":"creative writing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>creative writing</a> more exciting and memorable without losing clarity.

What Is a Simile?

Similes and metaphors are both types of comparison and forms of figurative language. A simile is a type of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-metaphor' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-metaphor","linkCopy":"metaphor","category":null}'>metaphor</a>, but there is a key difference between these literary terms. A simile compares two unrelated things using the words “like” or “as.” A metaphor, on the other hand, makes a direct comparison for rhetorical effect.

Simile vs. Metaphor: What’s the Difference?

Similes are simple comparisons to write because they follow an easy formula: &quot;X is like Y.” Consider the following tips when writing similes:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Add visuals. A simile can paint a picture of a particular character or situation in the reader’s mind. Make sure that the image is as vivid as possible. </li><li class="">Be clear. Many strong similes use plain, everyday speech. Think about what you’re trying to compare and the context you’re doing it in. Does the simile fit the emotion of the scene? Does it fit the character or characters in that scene? </li><li class="">Think of original ideas. Avoid <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-a-cliche-learn-when-to-use-cliches-in-writing-and-20-common-cliches-all-writers-should-avoid' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-a-cliche-learn-when-to-use-cliches-in-writing-and-20-common-cliches-all-writers-should-avoid","linkCopy":"clichés","category":null}'>clichés</a> or similes that are common. Think about the imagery you’re trying to evoke for the reader, and don’t pick the first comparison that comes to your mind—this is usually the easy choice, and it won’t be as powerful as your second or third idea. </li><li class="">Use similes sparingly. Similes are a great literary device to spice up your writing, but you should use similes sparingly; otherwise, they can become distracting to readers. </li></ul>

How to Write a Simile

The use of similes is widespread in song lyrics and literature because using similes can create vivid descriptions. Some famous simile examples from literature include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Romeo and Juliet (1597): In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, Lady Capulet likens the sight of her daughter’s death to that of a warning bell. “This sight of death is as a bell that warns my old age to a sepulcher.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. “A Red, Red Rose” (1794): Scottish poet Robert Burns’s song “A Red, Red Rose” features several similes, comparing love to a rose. “O my luve&#39;s like a red, red rose, that&#39;s newly sprung in June; O my luve&#39;s like the melodie, that&#39;s sweetly played in tune.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. “Daffodils” (1807): English poet William Wordsworth wrote the simile “I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills” in his 1807 poem “Daffodils.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. A Christmas Carol (1843): In <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/charles-dickens-life-and-career' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/charles-dickens-life-and-career","linkCopy":"Charles Dickens","category":null}'>Charles Dickens</a>’s A Christmas Carol, the character Ebenezer Scrooge uses the simile “dead as a doornail” to describe Marley’s death. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. The Adventure of the Three Gables (1926): Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novel The Adventure of the Three Gables creatively describes a character using this simile: “She entered with ungainly struggle like some huge awkward chicken, torn, squawking, out of its coop.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. The Handmaid’s Tale (1985): <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/margaret-atwood-teaches-creative-writing' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/margaret-atwood-teaches-creative-writing","linkCopy":"Margaret Atwood","category":null}'>Margaret Atwood</a>’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale includes a simile likening a woman to sand. “Time has not stood still. It has washed over me, washed me away, as if I’m nothing more than a woman of sand, left by a careless child too near the water.” </li></ol>

6 Simile Examples

Similes and metaphors are two closely related literary terms, and they are often confused for one another because they are both types of comparison and forms of figurative language (or non-literal language). In fact, similes are a type of metaphor, because metaphor is a general term to describe a comparison that is often poetic. Similes have two more specific attributes that make them a subset of metaphor: <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">A simile uses like or as. This is the most basic requirement of a simile, and it’s an easy one to notice—all similes use either like or as to make their comparison. </li><li class="">A simile is often more obvious than a metaphor. Similes are relatively more obvious when compared to metaphors because of their use of like or as—those two words act as flags to indicate to readers that the comparison is a simile. By using like or as, readers can recognize that they should suspend their disbelief for the comparison, because the writer isn’t attempting to convince readers that X is Y (as a metaphor would), but merely invite them to notice that X is like Y. </li></ul>Learn more about the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/metaphor-similie-and-analogy-differences-and-similarities' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/metaphor-similie-and-analogy-differences-and-similarities","linkCopy":"differences and similarities between metaphor and simile in our complete guide here","category":null}'>differences and similarities between metaphor and simile in our complete guide here</a>.Whether you’re creating a story as an artistic exercise or trying to get the attention of publishing houses, learning how to correctly use literary devices like metaphor is essential to good writing. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/judy-blume-teaches-writing' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/judy-blume-teaches-writing","linkCopy":"Award-winning author Judy Blume","category":null}'>Award-winning author Judy Blume</a> has spent decades honing her craft. In her writing MasterClass, Judy provides insight into how to invent vivid characters, write realistic dialogue, and turn your experiences into stories people will treasure.Want to become a better writer? <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"The MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>The MasterClass Annual Membership</a> provides exclusive video lessons on plot, character development, creating suspense, and more, all taught by literary masters, including Judy Blume, Neil Gaiman, Dan Brown, Margaret Atwood, David Baldacci, and more.

What Is the Difference Between Simile and Metaphor?

Become a better writer with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Billy Collins, Joy Harjo, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.

Want to Learn More About Writing?

Comparisons are as standard in the English language as they are in writing. A simile is one of the simplest and most effective comparisons to make when writing.