Similes

A simile is a fun type of comparison. It uses the words 'like' or 'as' to compare two things. For example, 'as busy as a bee' is a simile. Similes help paint a picture in your mind.

Common Similes

You have probably heard many similes before. 'As cold as ice' tells you something is very cold. 'Runs like the wind' means someone runs super fast. 'Sleeps like a log' means a person sleeps deeply. These similes are used so often that most people know them.

Making Your Own Similes

It is easy to make your own similes. First, think of a thing you want to describe. Then, think of something else that is like it. For example, you might say 'The cookie was as hard as a rock'. Writers use similes to make their stories more fun to read.

Fun Facts

• The word simile comes from a Latin word meaning 'like'.
• Similes and metaphors are both comparisons, but only similes use 'like' or 'as'.
• Nursery rhymes often use similes like 'twinkle, twinkle, little star'.

Did You Know?

Homer, an ancient Greek poet, wrote very long similes in his poems. Some of them lasted for many lines.