80+ Simile Examples That Hit Like a Ton of Bricks (+ Definition)

Do you want simile examples to boost your writing?

Are you searching for one thing that provides polish to your prose?

Nicely, you’re in luck.

Similes are simply the instrument you should make your writing extra colourful and interesting.

And that will help you out, we’ve pulled collectively an in depth listing of swipe-worthy simile examples to assist spark your creativity.

Let’s get began.

What’s a Simile?

A simile is a determine of speech used to check two objects or ideas with each other utilizing the phrases “like” or “as”. The objects are often dissimilar sufficient that the comparability is shocking.

For instance, take a look at this sentence:

She swaddled the child till he was as cosy as a bug in a rug is a simile.

It compares swaddling the child to being wrapped snugly like a “bug in a rug.”

The comparability stands out as a result of we’re evaluating the child (cute and cuddly) to a bug (not so cute and cuddly).

Why Use Similes?

Right here’s one thing you most likely didn’t know:

The phrase “simile” comes from the Latin phrase similis that means related or like. 

Now that we bought that out of that means, let’s dive a little deeper into why we use similes within the first place.

So, a simile is used usually to:

• Make a comparability
• Categorical an emotion
• Create a vivid psychological picture for the reader

In different phrases:

Similes assist you to paint a image in your reader.

Take into consideration our earlier instance of She swaddled the child till he was as cosy as a bug in a rug.

You could possibly as a substitute say She wrapped the child tightly in his blanket.

Positive, that describes a swaddled child. However it doesn’t paint a image of a child lovingly wrapped in a gentle, cozy blanket, so he’s heat and protected.

And that, my mates, is the ability of figurative language.

What’s the Distinction Between Simile and Metaphor?

Folks typically confuse similes and the almighty metaphor.

You most likely know the distinction between these two literary gadgets, but when not, let’s recap simile vs metaphor:

• A simile will at all times make the comparability utilizing the phrases like or as.
• Metaphors use a direct comparability.

Life is a curler coaster is a metaphor instance.

Life is like a rollercoaster is a simile instance.

Similes vs Comparisons: Is There a Distinction?

Similes are typically confused with easy comparisons.

Your daughter appears similar to you is an specific comparability, not a simile, although it makes use of the phrase like. Evaluating a little one’s look to that of a dad or mum isn’t uncommon, so it’s not a true simile.

(Keep in mind: a true simile compares two dissimilar issues utilizing like or as).

Your daughter has a smile as shiny as sunshine could be a comparability utilizing a simile as a result of a smile and sunshine are two completely various things.

Simile Examples in Literature

You’ll discover numerous examples of similes in literature – which is sensible as a result of, properly, it’s literature.

Now, one of essentially the most well-known simile examples may be a line from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens:

Previous Marley was as useless as a doornail.

Such imagery, proper?

Let’s dissect this:

How can a particular person be as useless as an inanimate object?

Nicely, it’s not doable. However that’s not the purpose.  The large concept right here is how Dickens in contrast Previous Marley’s present residing standing (deceased, in case you forgot) to one thing that wasn’t alive within the first place.

In different phrases:

Previous Marley is very a lot useless.

However simply saying that he’s useless isn’t very entertaining (it’s unhappy, actually). So to reinforce the comparability and create a extra vivid image of Marley’s present state (once more, deceased) Dickens makes use of a simile.

Let’s dive into some extra simile examples in literature:

1984 by George Orwell

He sat as nonetheless as a mouse, within the futile hope that whoever it was may go away after a single try. 

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Is love a tender factor? It’s too tough, too impolite, too boisterous, and it pricks like a thorn.

Little Ladies by Louisa Could Alcott

Like bees swarming after their queen, mom and daughters hovered about Mr. March the subsequent day, neglecting every part to take a look at, wait upon, and take heed to the brand new invalid, who was in a honest strategy to be killed by kindness.

Horseradish by Lemony Snicket

A library is like an island within the center of a huge sea of ignorance, significantly if the library could be very tall and the encompassing space has been flooded.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

The ache is like an axe that chops my coronary heart.

Simile Examples in Music

Musicians are masters of utilizing similes to precise feelings and paint photos for the listener.

Let’s take a take a look at a few widespread examples.

(Be happy to sing alongside if you happen to’ve bought rhythm… And even if you happen to don’t).

Rapper’s Delight by The Sugarhill Gang

I don’t imply to brag, I don’t imply to boast

However we like sizzling butter on a breakfast toast.

To be clear, they don’t seem to be saying that they like butter on their toast…although they might.

They’re saying they’re widespread and sought-after performers.

Let’s get this celebration rolling with much more examples of similes in music? 

I’m Like a Chook by Nelly Furtado

I’m like a fowl, I’ll solely fly away.

I don’t know the place my soul is (soul is)I don’t know the place my house is

And child all I would like so that you can know is

I’m like a fowl

I’ll solely fly away

Straightforward by Lionel Richie

That’s why I’m straightforward

I’m straightforward like Sunday morning

That’s why I’m straightforward

I’m straightforward like Sunday morning

Halo by Beyoncé

Hit me like a ray of solar

Burning by way of my darkest evening

You’re the one one which I need

Assume I’m hooked on your mild 

Diamonds by Rihanna

Shine shiny like a diamond

Shine shiny like a diamond

Shining shiny like a diamond

We’re stunning like diamonds within the sky

It’s My Life by Bon Jovi

It’s my life

My coronary heart is just like the open freeway

Like Frankie mentioned, ‘I did it my means’

I simply wish to reside whereas I’m alive

It’s my life

A Laborious Day’s Night time by The Beatles

It’s been a arduous day’s evening, and I been working like a canine

It’s been a arduous day’s evening, I ought to be sleeping like a log

However after I get dwelling to you I discover the issues that you just do

Will make me really feel alright

Candle within the Wind by Elton John

And it appears to me you lived your life

Like a candle within the wind

By no means realizing who to cling to

When the rain set in

And I’d’ve preferred to know you

However I used to be simply a child

Your candle burned out lengthy earlier than

Your legend ever did

Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran

In contact with the bottom

I’m on the hunt I’m after you

Odor like I sound, I’m misplaced in a crowd

And I’m hungry just like the wolf

Simile Examples in Poetry

Poetry is a good spot to make use of similes if you wish to paint evocative photos in your reader.

When folks talk about similes and poetry, A Pink, Pink Rose by Robert Burns is an often-used instance.

Learn how Burns compares his like to a pink rose and, later, a candy melody:

O my Luve is like a pink, pink rose

That’s newly sprung in June;

O my Luve is just like the melodies

That’s sweetly performed in tune.

Let’s discover a few extra examples of similes in poetry:

Daffodils by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on excessive o’er vales and hills,

When abruptly I noticed a crowd,

A number, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the timber,

Fluttering and dancing within the breeze.

Harlem by Langston Hughes

What occurs to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin within the solar?

Or fester like a sore-

After which run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-

like a syrupy candy?

Perhaps it simply sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

A Birthday by Christina Rossetti

My coronary heart is like a singing fowl

Whose nest is in a water’d shoot;

My coronary heart is like an apple tree

Whose boughs are bent with thickest fruit;

Spring is Like a Maybe Hand by E.E. Cummings

Spring is like a maybe hand

(which comes fastidiously

out of Nowhere) arranging

a window, into which individuals look (whereas

folks stare

arranging and altering putting

fastidiously there a unusual

factor and a recognized factor right here) and

altering every part fastidiously

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle little star

How I’m wondering what you might be

Up above the world so excessive

Like a diamond within the sky.

Simile Examples in Movie & TV

The beloved film Forrest Gump has one of essentially the most well-known similes EVER:

Life is like a field of sweets. You by no means know what you’re gonna get.

There’s a related line from The Final Don, based mostly on the ebook by Mario Puzo (the man that wrote The Godfather):

Life is like a field of hand grenades. You by no means know what’s going to blow you to kingdom come.

Every of these similes is saying the identical factor:

We don’t know what life has in retailer for us.

However by evaluating life’s unknowns to sweets (and hand grenades), we get a extra relatable and memorable message… Perhaps not a lot with the hand grenades, however you get the concept.

If you happen to’d like a few extra examples of similes in Movie and TV, learn on!

State Farm commercials

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. 

Shrek

“…Ogres are like onions…They’ve layers.” 

Step Brothers

“Your voice is like a mixture of Fergie and Jesus.” 

Discovering Nemo

“I’m a fish with a nostril like a sword.”

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

 “You’re as cuddly as a cactus, you’re as charming as an eel.” 

Widespread Examples of Simile (From Life, Love, & On a regular basis Speech)

Our on a regular basis speech is affected by similes. You most likely don’t understand how ceaselessly you utilize them as a result of they’re as frequent as pig tracks in moist climate or as ticks on a junkyard canine.

Listed here are some frequent similes utilizing as:

• sick as a canine
• straightforward as pie
• pleased as a clam
• cute as a button
• massive as a home
• robust as nails
• white as a ghost
• sizzling as hell
• nutty as a fruitcake
• clear as mud
• sturdy as an ox
• clear as a whistle
• snug as a mattress of nails
• totally different as evening and day
• skinny as a rail
• deep because the ocean
• dry because the desert
• strong as quicksand
• candy as sugar

Listed here are some frequent similes utilizing like:

• slept like a log
• fought like cats and canines
• like capturing fish in a barrel
• matches like a glove
• runs just like the wind
• develop like a weed
• like a metal lure
• like two peas in a pod
• flowed like a river
• swim like a fish
• busy like a bee
• slept like a child
• eats like a pig
• strikes like a snail
• cuts like butter
• leaks like a sieve
• soared like an eagle
• like a fish out of water
• works like a allure
• hurts just like the satan

And let’s not overlook these well-known quotes about life and love that use similes to reinforce their that means:

Love is like friendship caught on fireplace.Bruce Lee

Love is like a faucet; it turns on and off.Billie Vacation

Love is just like the wind, you possibly can’t see it however you possibly can really feel it.Nicholas Sparks

Life is like using a bicycle. To maintain your steadiness, you will need to hold transferring.Albert Einstein

Life is like writing with a pen. You may cross out your previous however you possibly can’t erase it.E.B. White

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The arms can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.Muhammad Ali

Dad and mom are like God since you wanna know they’re on the market, and also you need them to suppose properly of you, however you actually solely name if you want one thing.Chuck Palahniuk

Why do you sit there trying like an envelope with none deal with on it?Mark Twain

A room with out books is like a physique with out a soul.Marcus Tullius Cicero

Which Simile Examples Will You Use?

Similes are a highly effective literary system to make use of in your writing and we hope these nice examples impressed you.

Whether or not you’re writing a poem, memoirs, social media rants, or epic weblog posts, similes assist you to paint a image that pulls your reader into your story and makes your work a little extra fascinating.

Now that you just’ve bought all these examples in your writing arsenal, you’re poised to write down some of your finest work ever.

What similes are you excited to make use of in your subsequent piece of writing?