Similes & Metaphors

Similes & Metaphors

by Todd Kenny

WHAT ARE SIMILES?​

Similes are used to compare two things that are different in most ways but are the same in one important way. The words “like” or “as” are used to compare the two things. Authors use similes to make their writing more interesting and descriptive.​

​Here are some examples of similes.

​Note that the two subjects being compared in each sentence are underlined and the connecting words "like" or "as" are highlighted in yellow.

• Maria was as graceful as a swan.​

• ​Tony ran like a cheetah.

• ​The library was as quiet as a graveyard.

• ​The kitten's fur felt like velvet.

• ​Mario's fingers were as cold as icicles.

• ​Lara's lips were as red as a cherry.

• Dad's snoring was as loud as a freight train.​

• ​Jenna's scream was like a siren.

WHAT ARE METAPHORS?​

Metaphors are a direct comparison between two unlike things that actually have something important in common, and don't use the words "like" or "as" to ​make the comparison.

​Here are some examples of metaphors.

​Note that the two subjects being compared in each sentence are underlined.

• The butterfly was an angel, floating toward the sky.​

• ​The butterfly is a zebra, spotted black and white.

• ​The butterfly is a princess, walking daintely across the flower.

• ​The cocoon is a dressing room, preparing the caterpillar for its entrance.

  
  

​Time for Practice

(Round 1)

​For the following examples, choose the correct answer choice that would make the most sense for the simile and to complete the sentence properly.

Multiple Choice

Joanie was walking as slow as a _____.

• cheetah

• boat

• cloud

• turtle

Multiple Choice

The puffy white clouds were like _____ floating in the sky.

• coal

• marshmallows

• sneakers

• rocks

Multiple Choice

The alligator's teeth are sharp _____ so be careful!

• pennies

• knives

• tooth brushes

• pencils

Multiple Choice

The crayons melted in the sun like _____.

• bread

• cardboard

• ice cream

• pencils

Multiple Select

The well-behaved children were quiet like _____.

• foraging mice

• rumbling elephants

• barking dogs

• angry dinosaurs

Multiple Select

The gorilla's cage was a (an) _____ keeping him locked inside.

• prison

• oasis

• haven

​Time for Practice

(Round 2)

​For the following examples, choose multipe correct answers that would possibly make the most sense for the simile and to complete the sentence properly.

Multiple Select

The kitten's teeth were as sharp as _____.

• daggers

• knives

• pearls

• pillows

Multiple Select

Tanya's eyes were as blue as _____.

• the sky

• the ocean

• the grass

• the dirt

Multiple Select

The overbaked cookies were hard like _____.

• petrified bones

• solid rocks

• cooked spaghetti

• ripe lettuce