FAQs
What to Know. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two otherwise dissimilar things, often introduced by the words like or as ('you are like a summer's day'). A metaphor is when a word is used in place of another to suggest a likeness ('you are a summer's day').
What is a metaphor in BBC bitesize? ›
A metaphor is a word or a phrase used to describe something as if it were something else: For example, "A wave of terror washed over him." The terror isn't actually a wave, but a wave is a good way of describing the feeling. "Jess is dynamite." She's not made of dynamite, but it's a way to explain how exciting she is.
What are similes in BBC bitesize? ›
A simile describes something by comparing it to something else, using like or as. A simile is a useful way to describe something without using a long list of adjectives. It can create a vivid image in the reader's mind, helping to engage and absorb them. 'Their food was tough as old boots. '
What are 5 examples of metaphors? ›
Metaphors are everywhere: He's a couch potato. She's got a heart of gold. That party was the bomb. Money is the root of all evil.
What is the difference between a metaphor and a simile and an analogy? ›
A metaphor is a figure of speech that uses one thing to mean another and makes a comparison between the two. A simile compares two different things in order to create a new meaning. An analogy is comparable to metaphor and simile in that it shows how two different things are similar, but it's a bit more complex.
How do you explain metaphors to a child? ›
It's like saying one thing is another to make it more interesting. For example, if we say, “Her smile is a ray of sunshine,” it means her smile is super bright and makes us feel happy. Metaphors make language fun and creative for kids.
What is a metaphor in simple terms? ›
A metaphor is a figure of speech that implicitly compares two unrelated things, typically by stating that one thing is another (e.g., “that chef is a magician”). Metaphors can be used to create vivid imagery, exaggerate a characteristic or action, or express a complex idea.
What are simple definitions of similes? ›
According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, a simile is defined as “a word or phrase that compares something to something else, using the words like or as.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines a simile as “an expression comparing one thing with another, always including the words as or like”.
Is my best friend is an angel a metaphor or a simile? ›
This is an example of metaphor. The speaker is comparing his friend to an angel.
How do you convert a simile to a metaphor? ›
To change a simile into a metaphor you need to remove the words 'like' or 'as' from the simile and make the comparison direct. Instead of saying 'She was as grumpy AS a bear,' which is a simile, you could say, 'She was a bear in the morning. ' Like a simile, a metaphor is a comparison between two things.
A simile is a comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as. Ex. You are as brave as a lion. A metaphor occurs when an author compares two unlike things but does not use like or as.
What is a simile and metaphor answer? ›
A simile says that one thing "is like" or "is as … as" another thing. A metaphor says that one thing "is" another thing. Metaphors do not use the words "like" or "as" in their comparisons. Here are some examples of similes: Life is like a box of chocolates.
What is a simile and metaphor 3rd grade? ›
A metaphor compares two things by saying that one of them is the other. Unlike similes, metaphors don't use the word like or as. The snow formed a blanket over the town. The snow and a blanket are compared without the word like or as.
What are 5 examples of similes? ›
Similes using 'as'
- As slow as a sloth.
- As busy as a bee.
- As innocent as a lamb.
- As proud as a peaco*ck.
- As fast as a cheetah.
- As blind as a bat.
- As bold as brass.
- As cold as ice.
How to identify a metaphor? ›
A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn't literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. Here are the basics: A metaphor states that one thing is another thing.
What is a simple definition of a metaphor? ›
Revised on November 6, 2023. A metaphor is a figure of speech that implicitly compares two unrelated things, typically by stating that one thing is another (e.g., “that chef is a magician”). Metaphors can be used to create vivid imagery, exaggerate a characteristic or action, or express a complex idea.
What is a simile sentence? ›
A simile (SIM-uh-lee) is a type of figurative language that describes something by comparing it to something else with the words like or as. Even if you don't know the definition like the back of your hand, you've probably seen plenty of similes. For example: I know that definition like the back of my hand.