Determine the meanings of similes and metaphors

key notes :

Similes and metaphors are figures of speech that compare two things that are not actually alike.

A simile compares two things by saying that one is like the other. Similes often use the word like or as.

  • My sister runs like a cheetah.
  • The sister’s running and a cheetah’s running are compared using the word like.
  • A cheetah is known for running fast, so the simile means that the sister also runs fast.
  • The cat’s fur was as dark as the night.
  • The cat’s fur and the night are compared using the word as.
  • The night is dark, so the simile means that the cat’s fur is also dark.

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.
  • A blanket is a large piece of cloth that completely covers a bed. The metaphor makes the reader imagine that the snow becomes a blanket, covering the town completely.

Using similes and metaphors in your writing can help you create an interesting picture for the reader.

Learn with an example

🔥What is the meaning of the simile?

The buildings stand in the centre of the city like mountains.

  • The buildings are really tall.
  • The buildings are made of stone.

To work out the meaning of the simile, think what the buildings might have in common with mountains.

Mountains are tall, so the simile means that the buildings are also tall.

🔥What is the meaning of the metaphor?

The inside of the house became a furnace in the summer.

  • The inside of the house was running on gas.
  • The inside of the house was really hot.

To work out the meaning of the metaphor, think what the inside of the house might have in common with a furnace.

A furnace is a device that heats up a building. The metaphor makes the reader imagine the inside of the house became a furnace, so the house really heated up. In other words, the inside of the house was really hot.

🔥What is the meaning of the metaphor?

Dad’s company is a well-oiled machine.

  • Dad’s company runs smoothly.
  • Dad’s company is full of machines.

To work out the meaning of the metaphor, think what Dad’s company might have in common with a well-oiled machine.

A well-oiled machine runs smoothly. The metaphor makes the reader imagine Dad’s company is a well-oiled machine, so it runs smoothly.

let’s practice!