What is the difference between simile and metaphor

Because when you think about it, the two things do have something in common. But a lion growls, and a stomach growls. So, when you say, her stomach was a roaring lion, you can picture just how loudly her stomach growled. Still a bit confused? Explore a few more metaphor examples along with what they have in common. Metaphor was easy right? Well, since a simile is a type of metaphor, understanding what it is will be a snap.

You might have guessed by now that a simile also makes a comparison between two things. However, unlike a metaphor, which says something is something else, a simile uses the word as or like to make the comparison. You instantly know that their friend and a mouse are both quiet. Just to make sure you completely understand, dive into a few other simile examples. However, the point made is that your sister and the devil are both evil. The rhetorical comparisons metaphors make can get deep too. Check out these examples of metaphors along with what these two things have in common.

With analogy and metaphor out of the way, simile is a piece of cake. Because a simile is actually a metaphor. Therefore, it makes a comparison between two different things to create a dramatic effect.

However, where simile is different from a metaphor is in the fact that it creates a comparison using the word like or as rather than making a direct comparison. Check them out now. Seeing the difference between an analogy and a metaphor along with a simile can be difficult without a direct comparison. Use this table to keep things clear.

As you can see, analogies are the most elaborate of the three literary devices, but all are used in writing to make a comparison. The thing to remember about analogies, metaphors, and similes is they all make comparisons. Like the difference between a metaphor and simile, forms of analogy are literary devices. We hear the expression, to draw an analogy. It means to bring two things together in some way. Note that the words marked in blue show that the form is based on a simile, and in green , on a metaphor.

Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer. About as practical as an ashtray on a motorcycle. It is as annoying as nails on a chalkboard. Finding a good man is like finding a needle in a haystack. That movie was a roller coaster ride of emotions. The grass is always greener on the other side. The moon is tonight as the sun is to day. It was like men handling a fish which is still alive and may jump back into the water.

George Orwell, A Hanging. How can you use these parts of speech in your writing? The best advice is that figurative language works best by using it sparingly. Most are fixed expressions, which is hardly being creative when it comes to writing. Trying to create new expressions is not easy, and they can sometimes sound clumsy. But everything in our language is subject to change.

So try, but be careful and make sure you understand the differences between the two. You can use simple forms to add more color to your writing. Here are two simile and metaphor examples for the same sentence to describe temperature. Jody arrived in Bangkok for the first time, direct from London.

When he left the air-conditioned airport, the weather was hotter than he had ever felt in his life. Simile — When he left the air-conditioned airport, the weather was as hot as hell. Metaphor — When he left the air-conditioned airport, it was an oven outside. Learn to identify the different variety of forms and how to use them for their high descriptive value. My days are spent writing and blogging, as well as testing and taming new technology. Your email address will not be published.

Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. To prevent spam, all comments are moderated and will be published upon approval. Submit your comment only once, please. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Is there a difference between simile vs metaphor? Yes, there is. There are many examples in this article to help you understand these two figures of speech.

In This Article Hide. The difference between simile vs metaphor Quick examples of a simile vs metaphor. When do we use a simile vs metaphor? Common simile examples using as-adjective-as to describe similarity. Everyday examples with like for comparison. Thinking about a major in creative writing? Then you'll definitely want to take a look at the top creative writing programs in the country! She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.

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How to Get a Perfect 4. How to Write an Amazing College Essay. A Comprehensive Guide. Choose Your Test. Simile vs Metaphor: The 1 Big Difference. Examples of Metaphors Below are three examples of famous metaphors. Examples of Similes Next up, here are some examples of famous similes. Simile Example 1 My dad always wears glasses. Without them, he's as blind as a bat. Simile Example 3 "My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates.

Phrase Metaphor Simile 1. Poor thing, your hands are as cold as ice! Sia, "Titanium" 7. That girl over there looks a lot like my sister. The word "as" is used to make the comparison, so this example is a simile. Sia, "Titanium" This line, taken from the chorus of the hit song "Titanium" by David Guetta, describes the speaker as the super-strong metal titanium.

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