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simile Definition

simi·le (simə lē′)

noun

a figure of speech in which one thing is likened to another, dissimilar thing by the use of like, as, etc. (Ex.: a heart as big as a whale, her tears flowed like wine)

Etymology: ME < L, a likeness < neut. of similis, similar

simile Synonyms

simile

n.

metaphor, analogy, likeness, epic simile, explicit comparison of dissimilars; see also comparison 2, figure of speech.

simile Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • use: Ali cleverly compares the two through Nazneen's habit of using similes from her village upbringing to describe her London life.
  • include: He reminds me of Rhys Hughes when he includes these extraordinary similes.
  • find: Try your hand at finding the right simile to describe this metamorphosis.
  • contain: Many contain similes; the ' as ' word is frequent.
  • have: It's hardly anyone's idea of enhancement, and Gomes calls it " dismally inferior " , and has a lovely simile.
  • evoke: They and the new battleships with their graceful sheer and boiling wake evoked poetic similes.

Preposition: in

  • line: The simile in the next line serves to emphasize the speed of the fall.

Adjective modifier

  • extended: Epic similes are more extended similes, which might involve multiple points of correspondence between tenor and vehicle.
  • good: Neither art nor nature could supply a better simile of the grace of God than this.
  • vivid: In fact Plato brings them together in a vivid simile.
  • Homeric: Epic Simile Extended or elaborate simile; sometimes known as the Homeric simile.
  • beautiful: The chief characteristic of Welsh poetry is its alliteration, woven around beautiful similes and metaphors.
  • famous: We may recall Marc Bloch's famous simile of winding back the reel of history.

Noun used with modifier

  • epic: Sanskrit epic similes differ greatly from the similes of Homer in this aspect.
  • Sanskrit: Sanskrit epic similes differ greatly from the similes of Homer in this aspect.
simile Quotes

   One thing that literature would be greatly the better for Would be a more restricted employment by authors of simile and metaphor.

—Nash, (Frederic) Ogden

Browse dictionary entries near simile

  1. similarly
  2. similarity
  3. similarities
  4. similar
  5. simian
  6. Simi Valley
  7. Simhat Torah
  8. Simferopol
  9. Simeon Stylites
  10. Simeon
  1. similitude
  2. simious
  3. Simla
  4. Simmental
  5. simmer
  6. simmer down
  7. simmering
  8. simnel
  9. simoleon
  10. Simon