University of Kasdi Merbah – Ouargla

Faculty of Letters and Languages

Department of English

Module: University Study Skills

Academic Year: 2019/2020

Simile
1. Simile Definition
A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike
a metaphor, a simile compares using “like” or “as”, which makes it a direct comparison.

Simile examples can be found in our daily speech. Comments like, “Kate is as slow as a snail.” Snails are notorious for their slow
pace, and here the slowness of Kate is compared to that of a snail.

Common Examples of Simile

 The Algerian soldiers are as brave as lions.
 Her tongue is poisonous like a snake.
 She is as funny as a clown.
 The water well was as dry as a bone.
 He is as cunning as a fox.

Simile introduces vividness into what we say. Authors and poets utilize simile to convey their
sentiments and thoughts through vivid word pictures.

Short Examples of Simile in a Sentence

1. The glow of the tube-light was as bright as the sunshine.
2. In winter, when it rained, he climbed into bed and felt as snug as a bug in a rug.
3. At exam time, the high school student was as busy as a bee.
4. The beggar on the road looked as blind as a bat.
5. When the examination finished, the candidate felt as light as a feather.
6. When the teacher entered the class, the 6th-grade students were fighting like cats and dogs.
7. The diplomat said the friendship of the two countries was as deep as an ocean.
8. The desert traveler’s hopes were dashed, as when at last he reached a well, it was as dry as a
bone.
9. The laborer remained busy at work all day long and slept like a log that night.
10. The audience listened to his spellbinding speech as quietly as mice.
11. The young athlete looked as strong as an ox.
12. The student moved as fast as lightning after getting permission from the teacher for an early
release.
13. The history paper was as tricky as a labyrinth.
14. The boys in the playing field were feeling as happy as dogs with two tails.

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Examples of Simile in Literature

 “The Great Gatsby” of F. Scott Fitzgearld (1925)

“The late afternoon sky bloomed in the window for a moment like the blue honey of the
Mediterranean.”
“The rain cooled about half-past three to a damp mist, through which occasional thin drops swam like
dew.”

 “Great Expectations” of Charles Dickens (1861)

"After that, he drank all the rest of the sherry, and Mr. Hubble drank the port, and the two talked
(which I have since observed to be customary in such cases) as if they were of quite another race from
the deceased, and were notoriously immortal."
"Great Expectations", Chapter 35, Pg. 272.

"Much of my unassisted self, and more by the help of Biddy than of Mr. Wopsle's Great-Aunt, I
struggled through the alphabet as if it had been a bramble-bush; getting considerably worried and
scratched by every letter."
"Great Expectations", Chapter 7, Pg. 43.

Practice
1. Choose the correct answer.
1. My mother does not like me to go out with him because he is as wily as a ______.

(A) wolf
(B) wizard
(C) fox
(D) lily

2. The child was as hungry as a ______. He ate up a full bowl of rice in minutes.

(A) dog
(B) wolf
(C) fox
(D) pig

3. This bus is as slow as a ______. We may not be able to reach there on time.

(A) bear
(B) clock
(C) tortoise
(D) snake

4. She exercises regularly and keeps herself as fit as a ______.

(A) flower
(B) fiddle
(C) fish
(D) falcon

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5. The boxer was fighting like a ______ and overpowered his opponent.

(A) tiger
(B) gorilla
(C) snake
(D) wolf

6. His punches were as ______ as lightning and caught his opponent by surprise.

(A) sharp
(B) dazzling
(C) brilliant
(D) quick

2. Read a literary work of your choice, and extract sentences including

“simile”.