It’s natural to compare things you see in real life. The color, sound, feel, or motion of something can remind you of something else. Seeing a graceful dancer may provoke images of a swan, prompting one to say, “She glides across the stage like a swan.” This comparison technique is a common literary device known as a simile.
In this guide, you’ll have several examples of simile sentences and understand how to construct your own using as vs like. From quick examples to worksheets to quizzes, you have many resources to study from or use with students as a teacher.
What Is a Simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that explicitly compares one thing to another. To be specific, a simile uses “like/as” to compare two things, making it clearly stand out from other comparative methods, such as metaphors. Thanks to similes, you can make more vivid descriptions in speech and text, which is why many poets and writers love using them.
Three simile examples include:
- Runs like the wind = a great way to say someone moves fast
- Cold as ice = emphazises something is a cold as possible, enough to become frozen
- Happy as a clam = just really happy or pleased.
*Note* If you’re wondering how a clam can be happy, the origins of this popular simile come from the full phrase “Happy as a clam at high tide/water.” You can only dig clams at low tide, so when high tide comes, a clam is safe from becoming someone’s meal.
Common Mistake
While “like/as” is an easy way to identify and create similes, readers should note that every clause using “like/as” isn’t a simile.
Conditional clauses, which aren’t similes, can often use “as if.”
An example:
“He dances as if he has done so for several years. However, he just started taking lessons.”
“The dirty cat looked as if it had been outside for weeks.”
When you make non-figurative comparisons using “like”, you’re not using a simile.
An example:
“The red sports car is like the one I saw in the poster.”
Quick Reference Table
You’ll notice there are different ways to compare two things in the English language. Here is a quick reference guide to creating a simile, metaphor, analogy, and idioms.
| Figure of Speech | Core Idea | Pattern | Example |
| Simile | Use “like/as” for comparision | A is like BA is as + adjective + as B | Her hair is like a lion’s mane. |
| Metaphor | Direct X is Y | Noun = noun | Time is a thief. |
| Analogy | Extended comparison for explanation | X:Y :: A:B | The hand is to the glove as a foot is to a sock. |
| Idiom | Fixed figurative phrase | N/A | Break the ice. |
How Similes Work (Grammar Patterns)
The main thing to remember about similes is that you’re using them to make comparisons. Using “like” or “as” in different ways helps form more vivid connections between two things or emphasizes the particular quality of one.
It’s also important to understand the difference between using a figurative versus a literal comparison — similes are figurative.
Here are some examples of the different ways you can form a simile.
Like + noun/noun phrase
- “He sings like an angel.”
Here, the angel is the basis for the comparison. This simile describes someone’s singing voice as beautiful and heavenly — the way one would expect an angel to sing.
As + adj + as + noun
“This angel food cake is as light as a feather.”
Feathers are very light and airy, so much so they can float in the air. Here “light” is the adjective and “feather” is the basis for comparison against the cake texture.
Using the “as…as” method makes the lightness of the cake equal to a feather.
As…as… with modifiers
“The boy is nearly as quiet as a mouse.” This simile shows how modifiers can emphasize the difference in the comparison. The modifier here is “nearly” which shows the subject “the boy” is close to being as quiet as a mouse.
What if you want to express that something has less quality than the object of comparison? Now, you can use “not as…as” for negation.
For example: “This new coffee is not nearly as strong as my regular brand.”
Advanced
Similes can also compare things that are either hypothetical, unreal, or highly unexpected using “as if/as though.”
Let’s say you have a controlling colleague at work who is “acting as if he were the boss.” In this real situation, this person isn’t your manager, but may be giving orders like one.
The comparative nature of a simile can also show a contrasting situation.
“The little girl talks as though she’s already lived for 100 years.” Clearly a child hasn’t been alive for a century, but this advanced simile highlights her intelligence and maturity, which can remind one of an elder.
Common Pitfalls
While similes are highly creative ways to make your writing and speech more expressive, be careful about overusing them. An example is the mixed simile, which is when two or more illogical similes are combined within one expression.
Example: “He was as blind as a bat and as sharp as a tack.”
One should also be careful to avoid overusing similes in formal writing, as doing so can make your work seem unprofessional. Use your similes with a mixture of straightforward and literal language. Be strategic about how and where you want to make comparisons so your similes have full effect.
Common Similes by Theme (100+ examples)
Emotions & Mood
Happy as a clam = one is very happy
Shaking like a leaf = visible nervous
Like a deflated balloon = very sad
Mad as a hornet = fierce anger (like a disturbed hornet)
Cool as a cucumber = calm and collected
Like two peas in a pod = when people are close emotionally
As white as a sheet = use to describe someone pale with fear
Like a deer caught in headlights = someone is shocked or surprised
Speed & Movement
Fast as lightning
Ran like the wind
As fast as a speeding train
Swift as a cheetah
Speedy as a rocket
Swifter as an arrow
Fast as a shooting star
Quick as a whip
Strength & Difficulty
Tough as nails = high emotional and/or physical resilience, not hurt easily
Hard as rock = very solid and hard to penetrate
Strong as an ox = an ox is a big strong farm animal
Like pulling teeth = used to describe a difficult task
Like grasping a shadow = refers to something elusive and hard to grasp
As resilient as rubber = one can quickly bounce back/recover from adversity
As fierce as a storm = showing full force
As slippery as an eel = something difficult to catch or deal with
Stubborn as a mule = difficult to manage and resistant to change
As frustrating as herding cats = chaotic and uncontrollable
Intelligence & Focus
Crazy like a fox = cunning and strategic
Bright as a button = often used to emphasize intelligence in children
Sharp as a tack = mentally sharp and alert, the mind can pierce through something easily like a tack
Wise an a owl = knowledgeable, thoughtful, and observant, similar to an owl that traditionally symbolizes wisdom in several cultures
Smart as a whip= someone’s mind can move quickly, like a whip
Focused as a laser = giving direct and full attention to something, similar to a pointed laser
Alert as a hawk = Highly attentive of surroundings, like a hawk looking for prey
Concentrated as coffee – strongly focused and intense
Tuned in as a radio = like a radio picks up signals, one can pick up details and others emotions
Appearance & Size
Thin as a rail = very skinny and possibly underweight
White as snow = pale from illness or shock
Pretty as a picture = very attractive
As big as a house = extremely large, can also offensively be used to describe weight gain/overweight
Ugly as sin = extremely unattractive (unkind, use with caution)
Clear as a crystal = something easy to see through
As bright as a star = describes something radiant or showing lots of light
Free as a bird = unrestricted and able to move around freely ( like a bird that can fly away anytime)
Fickle as the weather = unpredictable and can change anytime — like the weather
Taste & Temperature
Sweet as honey = pleasantly sweet like honey
Bland as boiled rice = little flavor, tasteless
Fresh as mint = refreshing and cool
Hot as fire = extremely hot
Hot as an oven = warm or hot like inside an oven ( often used to describe room temperature or outside weather)
Warm as a blanket = comfortably hot or warm while also being cozy
Cold as ice – very cold to touch, cold enough to freeze
Bitter as gall = very sharp tasting and extremely bitter ( can also express hostile emotion)
Salty as the sea = highly salty like ocean water ( can also mean experienced in a sailor context)
Sour as a lemon = puckering sour flavor like a lemon
Sound & Silence
Quiet as a mouse = discreet, soft sound
As loud as thunder = boomingly loud sound
Clear as a bell = easy to hear and understand
Like nails on a chalkboard = a harsh, grating sound to the ears
Mute as a fish = Not speaking/totally silent (fish can’t talk)
Quiet as a whisper = very soft sound
Sharp as a siren = attention-grabbing, high-pitched sound
As dead as silence itself = Deep, almost eerie absence of sound
Still as a statue = no sound or movement in the area
Nature & Weather
Busy as a bee = very hardworking and active
Clear as day = something is easy to understand, obvious
Proud as a peacock = colorful and showy
Fresh as a daisy = refreshed and energized
Bright as the sun = cheerful
Happy as a lark = effortlessly happy and carefree (like the joyfully singing lark bird)
Stormy as the sea = very chaotic situation
Graceful as a swan = elegant movements
School & Study
Writes like a pro = writes very well, like a professional writer
As lost as a sheep = not understanding the lesson
Steady as a clock = consistent and reliable when working/studying
Neat as a pin = very organized and tidy, especially when taking notes
Curious as a cat = ready to explore new things
Bright as a button = quick learner, clever
Slow as a snail = takes longer than normal to do work or understand a lesson
Strict as a headmaster = very firm in character ( often describes a teacher)
Ready as ever = prepared
Obedient as a soldier = very precise in following directions
Blind as a bat = usually expresses a lack of insight or knowledge (not literal sight comparison here)
Sports & Effort
Steady as a rock = reliable and strong under pressure
Runs like a deer = runs very fast, light, and gracefully
Agile as a cat = has quick reactions, balance, and flexibility like a cat
Fit as a fiddle = in great health and physical shape (compared to a fiddle that must be perfectly tuned to sound good)
Determined as a bulldog = doesn’t give up or let go of something
Brave as a lion = shows no fear of challenges
Persistent as the tide = doesn’t give up and keeps coming back
Simile vs Metaphor (with Examples)
Now it’s time to compare similes to metaphors. As you’ll see, you can convert one to the other with slight grammar adjustments.
| Simile | Metaphor |
|---|---|
| Her mind is like an open book | Her mind is an open book |
| She dances like a gazelle | She is a gazelle on stage |
| He moves like a snail in the morning | He is a snail when he wakes up |
| My students are as busy as bees this year | My students are busy bees this year |
Both similes and metaphors add flavor and creativity to writing when used appropriately. When to use which one depends on how much clarity, intensity, and tone you’re trying to set.
Similes can offer more clarity with their comparisons, whereas metaphors can offer more room for interpretation.
For example, “He moves like a snail in the morning” clearly refers to someone moving slowly like a snail. However, “He is a snail when he wakes up” can refer to slow movement, someone being curled up like a snail, etc.
Metaphors are ideal for poetry and deep writing examples to express more powerful images that allow such broader interpretation. However, people may use more similes in everyday conversation.
Learn more about metaphors and how to use them.
Similes in Literature & Media
Similes appear throughout some of the most beloved books and media, from songs to films
Examples:
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – A famous line from the film Forrest Gump.
“You’re as cuddly as a cactus.” – How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss
“His face was deathly pale, and the lines of it were like hard wires” – “Dracula” by Bram Stoker
“His heart was thumping like a drum.” – 1984 by George Orwell
“My heart’s like an open highway” – from the song, It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
*Teacher Tip*
Have students find similes in a familiar text. It can be a song, poem, book, comic book, etc. Encourage them to find a few examples and have them explain the meaning.
🧪 Simile Generator (like/as)
Type one topic or scene (e.g., “friendship,” “a rainy day,” “running fast,” “the classroom at noon”). The generator will create classroom-safe similes using like/as plus a short model sentence for each—perfect for ESL A2–B2 warm-ups, writing hooks, and vocabulary practice.
Try: friendship • a storm • teamwork • a nervous speaker • sunshine after rain.
🧩 Similes Quiz
Test your understanding of similes with this quick, classroom-friendly quiz. Read each question, choose the best answer, and click Submit to see your score. You can hit Try Again to practice more. Great for ESL learners (A2–B1) and warm-ups before writing activities.
🧩 Similes Quiz (like / as)
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Click Submit to see your score, or Try Again to reset.
Teach & Practice (Mini-Lesson)
Teaching similes to your students can be fun and engaging. Here is a quick mini lesson to get started.
Hook
Start with a hook by getting students’ attention and activate background knowledge they may already have when using similes. Start by saying some easy ones and let them guess what they describe — something like “Cold as ice” and “Fast as lightning.”
Model
Now teach them the definition of similes and show more examples. As you show examples, note the grammar structure using “as/like.”
Guided Practice
Have students work in groups. You can write some prompts on the board and let them fill in the blanks.
Example: “The chorus sings like ________”
Display images and have students create similes from what they see.
Independent Practice
Now, it’s time for students to create list of similes on their own. Have them write a simile example for an object, emotion, and person. If time permits, also have them use temperature and sound.
Share-Out
Let students take turns reading at least one simile they create to the class. If they use flash cards, pin them on the board.
FAQs
A simile is a figure of speech comparing two things using “like” or “as.”
Similes are more figurative comparisons using “like/as” but metaphors are direct and use a “noun + is + noun” structure.
Yes, it can highlight the right comparison. An example: “Like many children, she is as curious as a cat.”
Similes are more informal but you can use them in formal writing.
“As…as…” is a way to use modifiers with similes. Yes, you can negate it by using “not as…as”
No, all comparisons aren’t similes. Metaphors are another common comparisons form of speech.
Teaching Similes: Free Lesson Plan, PowerPoint, and Worksheet
Want to make teaching similes simple and engaging? We’ve put together a complete set of free resources—including a ready-to-use lesson plan, a downloadable PowerPoint slide deck, and a printable worksheet. These materials will help your students understand what similes are, see real examples, and practice writing their own in fun, interactive ways.
Whether you’re teaching in the classroom or online, this resource pack will save you time and keep students interested while learning about figurative language.
Download the Similes Lesson PowerPoint
Bring your classroom to life with our ready-made Similes Lesson PowerPoint. This slide deck follows the full lesson plan, making it easy to teach similes step by step. It includes definitions, examples, group activities, and practice prompts so students can learn and apply similes in a fun, interactive way.
