Figurative Language

Reviewing key terms

Metaphor
Metaphor – something is used to
directly represent another, unlike thing.
Examples:
My hair is my crown.
His car is a hot tamale.
Simile
Simile - something is compared to another,
unlike thing, usually using “like” or “as.”
Examples:
This lemonade tastes like sunshine.
His voice is like gravel.
Personification
Personification – an inanimate (non-living)
object is given living qualities. Examples:
The teddy bear slept on her bed.
The toaster breathed fire.
Hyperbole

Hyperbole – a gross exaggeration.

Examples:
I’ve told you a million times to clean your room.
The dog was as big as a horse.
Allusion
Allusion - indirect reference to another work of
literature, film, or work of art in the public
consciousness.
Examples:
The other girls treated her as if she wore a
scarlet letter. He worked out until he put
Hercules to shame.
Alliteration

Alliteration – series of syllables or words with

the same sound. Examples:
Wind whistling wistfully
It was a dreary, dismal day.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia – a word formed from an
associated sound Examples:
The steak sizzled on the grill.
Meow!
Oxymoron

Oxymoron – two seemingly contradictory words

used together

Examples:
That shirt is pretty ugly. That is seriously funny.
Euphemism
Euphemism – Substitution of a more agreeable
expression for something unpleasant, offensive
or blunt.
Examples:
My poor old dog is six feet under.
When the company made cutbacks, she got a
pink slip.