Simile Examples

A simile is a comparison between two different things using the word like or as to make the comparison. Similes are generally easier to identify than metaphors, but not always. Sometimes a speaker or writer may use the word like or as and not make any comparison. These are not similes. For example if I said, “I like pizza.” I am expressing a preference for pizza not making a comparison.

Simile
Comparing two things using the word like or as

By the time you finish working through these 100 examples of simile, you should have the hang of it. I have attempted to separate these similes into an easy and hard list. Here is the list of fifty easy similes:

Simile Examples for Intermediate Readers

  1. “Food?”  Chris inquired, popping out of his seat like a toaster strudel.
  2. Grandpa lounged on the raft in the middle of the pool like an old battleship.
  3. If seen from above the factory, the workers would have looked like clock parts.
  4. The truth was like a bad taste on his tongue.
  5. The people who still lived in the town were stuck in place like wax statues.
  6. Cassie talked to her son about girls as though she were giving him tax advice.
  7. Alan’s jokes were like flat soda to the children, surprisingly unpleasant.
  8. My mother’s kitchen was like a holy place: you couldn’t wear your shoes, you had to sit there at a certain time, and occasionally we’d pray.
  9. The bottle rolled off the table like a teardrop.
  10. The handshake felt like warm laundry.
  11. She hung her head like a dying flower.
  12. Arguing with her was like dueling with hand grenades.
  13. The classroom was as quiet as a tongue-tied librarian in a hybrid car.
  14. Janie’s boyfriend appreciated her as an ape might appreciate an algebra book.
  15. The clouds were like ice-cream castles in the sky.
  16. The shingles on the shack shook in the storm winds like scared children.
  17. When he reached the top of the hill, he felt as strong as a steel gate.
  18. When the tree branch broke, Millie fell from the limb like a robin’s egg.
  19. She swam through the waters like she was falling through a warm dream.
  20. They children ran like ripples through water.
  21. Mikhail scattered his pocket change in front of the beggars like crumbs of bread.
  22. Her hair was as soft as a spider web.
  23. Each dollar bill was a like a magic wand to cast away problems.
  24. The man held the blanket like a memory.
  25. The ice sculptor’s hands fluttered like hummingbird wings.
  26. I’m about as awesome as a flying giraffe.
  27. You are soft as the nesting dove.
  28. Andre charged down the football field like it was the War of 1812.
  29. The stars looked like stupid little fish.
  30. Her laughter was like a warm blanket or a familiar song.
  31. The river flows like a stream of glass
  32. Blood seeped out of the wound like red teardrops.
  33. Paul carried his science project to school like he was transporting explosive glass.
  34. She looked at me like I was speaking in some strange alien tongue.
  35. The town square was buzzing like a beehive.
  36. Kelsey followed her dreams like most kids would follow a big sister.
  37. Kyle looked at the test with a stare as blank as his notebook.
  38. The robins are as thick today as flakes of snow were yesterday,
  39. Her eyes are like the eyes of statues.
  40. The gray moss drapes us like sages.
  41. The music burst like a bent-up flood.
  42. The curtains stir as with an ancient pain.
  43. But now her hands like moonlight brush the keys with velvet grace.
  44. I flitted like a dizzy moth.
  45. The flowers were as soft as thoughts of budding love.
  46. The gray of the sea, and the gray of the sky, / A glimpse of the moon like a half-closed eye.
  47. Yes, the doors are locked and the ashes are white as the frost.
  48. A mist about your beauty clings like a thin cloud before a star.
  49. She went like snow in the springtime on a sunny hill.
  50. Then I knew those tiny voices, clear as drops of dew.

 

Simile Examples for Advanced Readers

Here are fifty examples of similes for advanced readers. Remember: a simile compares two different things and uses like or as to make the comparison.

  1. I dream of silent verses where the rhyme glides noiseless as an oar.
  2. Though they knew it not, their baby’s cries were lovely as jeweled butterflies.
  3. He kissed her as though he were trying to win a sword fight.
  4. The paparazzi circled like vultures above a tottering camel.
  5. She was as distant as a remote tropical island, uncivilized, unspoiled.
  6. Our hearts, though stout and brave, still, like muffled drums, are beating funeral marches to the grave.
  7. He had hidden his wealth, heaped and hoarded and piled on high like sacks of wheat in a granary.
  8. Pieces of silver and of gold / Into the tinkling strong-box fell / Like pebbles dropped into a well;
  9. The cabin windows have grown blank as eyeballs of the dead.
  10. What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
  11. Each face was like the setting sun, / As, broad and red.
  12. Barefooted, ragged, with neglected hair, she was a thin slip of a girl, like a new moon.
  13. A fatal letter wings its way across the sea, like a bird of prey.
  14. I will sing a slumberous refrain, and you shall murmur like a child appeased.
  15. For she knows me! My heart, clear as a crystal beam / To her alone, ceases to be inscrutable.
  16. Leaf-strewing gales utter low wails like violins,
  17. He spit out his teeth like stones.
  18. Talk of your cold: through the parka’s fold it stabbed like a driven nail.
  19. Dawn breaks open like a wound that bleeds afresh.
  20. Like winged stars the fire-flies flash and glance, / Pale in the open moonshine.
  21. The breath of her false mouth was like faint flowers, / Her touch was as electric poison.
  22. Then, as a hunted deer that could not flee, I turned upon my thoughts and stood at bay, wounded and weak and panting;
  23. There are thick woods where many a fountain, rivulet, and pond are as clear as elemental diamond.
  24. Years heap their withered hours, like leaves, on our decay.
  25. The ripples wimple on the rills, like sparkling little lasses.
  26. She was like a modest flower blown in sunny June and warm as sun at noon’s high hour.
  27. And the face of the waters that spread away / Was as gray as the face of the dead.
  28. As in depths of many seas, my heart was drowned in memories.
  29. Then like a cold wave on a shore, comes silence and she sings no more.
  30. And shout thy loud battle-cry, cleaving the silence like a sword.
  31. My soul is lost and tossed like a ship unruddered in a shoreless sea.
  32. The clouds like crowds of snowy-hued and white-robed maidens pass
  33. Dreams, like ghosts, must hide away; / ‘Tis the day.
  34. The evening stretches before me like a road.
  35. I would have hours that move like a glitter of dancers.
  36. Toby manipulated the people in his life as though they were chess pieces.
  37. And only to think that my soul could not react, but turned on itself like a tortured snake.
  38. There are strange birds like blots against a sky.
  39. She goes all so softly like a shadow on the hill, a faint wind at twilight.
  40. The horse-chestnuts dropped their buds like tears.
  41. They walk in awful splendor, regal yet, wearing their crimes like rich and kingly capes.
  42. Death is like moonlight in a lofty wood that pours pale magic through the shadowy leaves.
  43. I was sick of all the sorrow and distress that flourished in the City like foul weeds.
  44. As I read it in the white, morning sunlight, the letters squirmed like snakes.
  45. Oh, praise me not the silent folk; / To me they only seem / Like leafless, bird-abandoned oak.
  46. The windflowers and the lilies were yellow striped as adder’s tongue.
  47. I have seen old ships sail like swans asleep.
  48. For the world’s events have rumbled on since those days like traffic.
  49. And dance as dust before the sun, light of foot and unconfined.
  50. The fishes skim like umber shades through the undulating weeds.
  51. Gather up the undiscovered universe like jewels in a jasper cup.

Common Core State Standards Related to Simile

Anchor Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4 – Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.5 – Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

View All CCSS Standards Related to Simile
ELA Standards: Literature

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)

ELA Standards: Language

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5 – Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5a – Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5b – Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5a – Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5b – Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.

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163 Comments

  1. lelelellelelel

     /  May 28, 2017

    As good as piiiiizzzaaaa☺☹

    Reply
  2. lilly

     /  February 18, 2017

    An example of a simile is, ” A blind rage like fire swept over him”.

    Reply
  3. jake

     /  February 15, 2017

    I need a example for nice for a simile like: she is as nice as…

    Reply
  4. S.SACHIN

     /  January 28, 2017

    Ice is as cool as a cucumber
    Ink is like a flowing river
    Dinosaurs scream like a lion that has roared a little distance
    These are just easy similies for you and I get very good information about this lik

    Reply
  5. IRINE

     /  January 23, 2017

    I LIKE YOUR SIMILES BUT CAN I TELL YOU HOW TO MAKE A SENTENCES WITH AS QUITE AS…….

    Reply
  6. Lani torres

     /  January 23, 2017

    I love this ,because it help me to complete my homework!!!!!!
    !! Thanks!!

    Reply
  7. shadreck duncan nyirenda

     /  January 20, 2017

    am looking for more direct similes e.g as black as coal
    looking forward in getting help from you

    Reply
  8. Reese

     /  January 16, 2017

    What does number 13 mean

    Reply
  9. vanessa

     /  January 11, 2017

    this is very useful

    Reply
  10. Cierra

     /  November 16, 2016

    Thank you for your help

    Reply
  11. Cierra

     /  November 16, 2016

    Similes are good to use.
    -example:she was like snow in the springtime on a sunny hill.

    Example:Her eyes are like eyes of statues

    Reply
  12. kaliel campbell

     /  October 27, 2016

    thanks for the help

    Reply
  13. Darlene Harvard

     /  October 21, 2016

    I am working on similes in my schoolwork right now. It is looking at old similes that are considered cliches. There are many examples with a blank to fill in. There is one I cannot get. It is:
    As rich as a _______.
    I wondered if you knew what that was.
    Thank you for your help.

    Reply
    • I don’t know the cliche for which you look, but I’d put the words “chocolate fudge” in the blank space. Best wishes!

      Reply
  14. annmont

     /  October 16, 2016

    What is a simile or metaphor about giving?

    Reply
  15. serena snyder

     /  September 28, 2016

    I need help with a simile which is; The volcano sat above the town like… And i don’t know what to put. :\

    Reply
  16. debbie

     /  September 28, 2016

    i wanted to be the first, i ran as fast as a snail

    Reply
  17. Nate Smith

     /  September 27, 2016

    is “like that” a smilie

    Reply
  18. megan

     /  September 26, 2016

    helps so much

    Reply
  19. kusum kerwani

     /  September 20, 2016

    Nice getting so much of examples

    Reply
  20. Ria Sarayu

     /  September 20, 2016

    thanks it helped me for my home work

    Reply
  21. Ria Sarayu

     /  September 20, 2016

    my best friend is as sharp as a pencil. Is it a simile or not

    Reply
  22. jade

     /  September 14, 2016

    thank you because it help me complete my performance task

    Reply
  23. rj

     /  August 12, 2016

    the champak odurs fall
    like a sweet thoughts in a dream.

    how i explain in to simile??

    Reply
    • Yes, that is a simile. I’m not entirely sure what “champak” is, but in the example it’s odors are being compared to sweet thoughts in a dream. Very nice. Very poetic.

      Reply
  24. Veron

     /  August 10, 2016

    The shock ran through veins as if I was connected to an electric cable.

    Reply
    • Sherwin

       /  April 16, 2017

      This is not a simile. It is not comparing. The use of “as” here means “when”, “while”, “during”, or “at the same time”.

      Reply
      • Sherwin

         /  April 16, 2017

        I’m sorry. I’m wrong. At first I didn’t see the word “if”. Yes, it’s a simile.

        Reply
  25. katlyn tapac

     /  August 4, 2016

    thank you

    Reply
  26. Anurag

     /  July 28, 2016

    This are nice simile

    Reply
  27. sumaya

     /  May 21, 2016

    *thanks it help me to complete my assignment

    Reply
  28. sumaya

     /  May 21, 2016

    it is a good explanation abut simile i enjoy a lot.

    Reply
  29. sanjai

     /  April 26, 2016

    thanks a lot

    Reply
  30. Isaac Washington

     /  April 20, 2016

    This website can help a lot

    Reply
  31. JadeA

     /  April 19, 2016

    I need a reply ASAP. So in class my class we’re doing similies on how people and things help us learn, or describing how that thing or person is. I made one saying “Elders are like owls” (comparing that they are both wise) which my teacher approved of. Another example would be something like Parents are like candles. They guide us through the dark. Im giving some examples. So can someone help me on a simile for Friends and then one for technology, please. Im not that creative. 😛 Thanks in advance for anyone who replies back.

    Reply
    • Technology is like a very comfortable pair of handcuffs. Friends are like tailwinds in the uphill race of life. Best wishes!

      Reply
  32. Becky

     /  April 14, 2016

    This was a great refresher. In mentoring a seventh grader, I felt out of my depth. Thank you in helping assist this well deserving child.

    Reply
  33. Torianna

     /  February 23, 2016

    good examples ! 🙂

    Reply
  34. zash

     /  February 15, 2016

    interesting similes… very helpful

    Reply
  35. Lishvi

     /  January 14, 2016

    Thanks becaue it help me to complete my home work

    Reply
  36. None

     /  January 13, 2016

    Hi this website helped me so much

    Reply
  37. Kayla

     /  January 7, 2016

    I need a simile that has something to do with a cell phone

    Reply
  38. alanae

     /  January 6, 2016

    helped me with my home work and school work in class today thanks so much.

    Reply
  39. nadhirah zaki

     /  December 17, 2015

    kerana simile inilah saya mendapat A dalam bahasa english………thanks a lottttttttt

    Reply
  40. nadhirah zaki

     /  December 17, 2015

    the simile is so good!!!!!!

    Reply
  41. MANDI WHITE

     /  December 5, 2015

    I need a simile for a question; which was:
    How starting is God? Do you believe that God is a match for any situation you face?

    I’m guessing something along the lines of:
    My measly problems are like ___________ when faced with the creator. (Pebbles in the ocean?)

    Only believers respond please. Thank you in advance!!

    Reply
  42. sachin

     /  November 26, 2015

    This is very helpful to me to get good marks and it is very hard to find some meanings in this examples.I can give a examples of simile.
    Tippu is brave as a tiger
    If this simile is wrong,please correct it.

    Reply
  43. Najla

     /  November 14, 2015

    Awesome website!Helped me a lot

    Reply
  44. Vivian

     /  November 5, 2015

    Love this it help me review for my test tomorrow!coming up for me!!!!

    Reply
  45. ?????

     /  October 29, 2015

    I looooooooove this site!

    Reply
  46. Hashir hussain

     /  October 10, 2015

    It was really very useful thanks a lot

    Reply
  47. none

     /  October 5, 2015

    if you can try to add parts of speech too it will help me alot thank you

    Reply
  48. it helped me a lot! i am in secondary one and wanted to boost up my marks. for these similes i also got an award. thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  49. emily

     /  September 17, 2015

    YOU SHOULD HAVE A SIMILE ON ROME

    Reply
  50. lolo

     /  September 17, 2015

    I would have hours that move like a glitter of dancers.

    Reply

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