Simile vs. Metaphor: Different Uses of Figurative Language

Are you confused about the difference between a simile and a metaphor? They are both tools used by writers to paint vivid pictures through words. These tools serve a similar purpose and are often indistinguishable to the untrained eye.

To add to the confusion, similes are a subset of metaphors. In effect, all similes are metaphors, but not all metaphors are similes.

If you mix up the two figures of speech, don’t worry; you’re not the only one. This article will help you understand the key differences between metaphors and similes and show helpful examples.

What is a metaphor?

Metaphors are literary devices used to draw parallels between two or more objects in a sentence by creating an implied comparison. However, you can’t take metaphors literally since the comparisons are often rhetorical rather than factual.

Fun fact: The word “metaphor” is derived from the ancient Greek word “metapherein,” which means “to transfer.” This is what a metaphor does—carry meaning from one idea to another.

Metaphors come in four main types.

• Standard metaphors compare things. For example, they draw a comparison between two unlike nouns or objects, such as “All the world’s a stage.”
• Implied metaphors don't explicitly state the connection between elements. An example is “The flowers nodded in the wind,” where flowers are personified through their “nodding.”
• Visual metaphors use imagery to compare two objects, for example, by showing a lion to symbolize bravery.
• Extended metaphors are metaphors used throughout a longer piece, such as a paragraph or poem, instead of in just one line or instance.

How to write an effective metaphor

To write a good metaphor, you need to identify the correct comparison between the concept you wish to explain and the expression you want to use to explain it. Authors  often find expressing abstract ideas easier by linking them to something familiar to the audience.

Second, make sure that your metaphor isn’t a cliche. Phrases like “It’s raining cats and dogs” and “low-hanging fruit” are called dead metaphors for a reason: They have lost the imagery associated with them due to years of overuse.

You may also find that leaving room for interpretation by the reader is beneficial. The use of metaphors isn’t always simply to convey a single meaning but also to allow readers to draw their own conclusions.

Metaphor examples

Many of our favorite works of art would be incomplete without the metaphors incorporated within them. While we may not realize at first glance that these are metaphors, figures of speech form the foundations of the literary world. Consider several examples of metaphors.

• One classic metaphor appears in William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18,” in which he uses an extended metaphor throughout the poem.

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May…”

Shakespeare compares his unseen lover to a pleasant summer day in these lines. He claims that his lover’s nature is as lovely and calm as the summer winds of May, which shake the delicate flower buds.

• Another use of a metaphor is in the 2015 movie “The Big Short,” in which Ryan Gosling’s character, Jared Vennett, says:

“Let me put it this way. I’m standing in front of a burning house, and I’m offering you fire insurance on it.”

Vennett equates credit default swaps on mortgage bonds with insurance on a burning house—a definite profit to be made from an otherwise terrible scenario. This illustrates the part of mortgage bonds in the 2008 housing market crisis and the investors’ position. A clever metaphor can make even the most complicated concept sound simple.

• Metaphors are common in the music industry too, as illustrated in the 5 Seconds of Summer song “Youngblood”:

“Say you want me out of your life

And I’m just a dead man walking tonight…”

Contrary to what the lines convey, the lead singer is, in fact, alive. The lyrics draw a parallel between the singer’s heartbreak and the act of dying, emphasizing his suffering. Metaphors are excellent tools to communicate emotions and sentiments.

What is a simile?

Like a metaphor, a simile is used as a direct comparison between one concept and another. However, the simile is distinct in its use of “as” or “like” to link the two ideas. The most basic simile use is “X is like Y.” This characteristic makes similes easy to identify.

Fun fact: The word “simile” comes from the Latin word “similis,” which means “like.”

Comparisons made through similes are often more direct to readers and generally used to provide more vivid descriptions. For instance, saying “It cuts easily” is not as compelling as saying “It cuts like a knife through butter.”

How to write an effective simile

When using similes in your writing, remember that less is more. A good simile helps readers conjure strong imagery; however, overusing this literary device may tire the reader and unnecessarily complicate your text.

Also, don’t be afraid to get creative! Original similes that connect images and ideas that aren’t usually paired together can successfully convey what you wish to say. That being said, ensure that the link between the two elements you’re comparing is easily visible to the reader, or it might get lost in translation.

Simile examples

Similes are common in both popular culture and historical prose; writers have been using them for centuries. Let’s look at three examples of similes:

• The song “My Scientist” by Coldplay includes the lyrics:

“Questions of science, science and progress

Do not speak as loud as my heart”

The lines compare a scientists’ affinity for his work against his growing yearning for lost love. This comparison is made more evident by the use of “as.”

• Another quintessential example of a pop-culture simile is Tom Hanks’ quote from “Forrest Gump”:

“My mama always said, life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

He uses the unpredictability of choosing one candy from a box of chocolates as a simile for life. Just as you never know how the chocolate will taste until you’ve had it, each day in your life is a mystery until you’ve lived it.

• Horace Mann, a 19th-century educational reformer and abolitionist, is reported to have once said:

“A house without books is like a room without windows.”

Through this quote, Mann conveys the importance of reading and deems books as windows into the world. Just as windows in a room allow us to look outside, books help us explore places and ideas we otherwise may not be able to access.

Should you use a metaphor or a simile?

Most writers employ both metaphors and similes, choosing the  one they feel is most suitable for a specific piece of writing and target audience. Essentially, the choice depends on what you want to convey and how you wish to convey it to your readers.

Metaphors are excellent tools that allow a variety of interpretations of your work. When used correctly, they can lend depth to your creative writing. On the other hand, similes offer simple yet clever comparisons between two concepts.

Whichever literary tool you choose to use, avoid using either excessively. The key is to let your metaphors and similes flow organically in your writing instead of forcing them in.

Start using figures of speech today as a writer or editor

The English language is often considered one of the most challenging to learn. Many native English speakers struggle with the correct usage of literary devices. However, understanding metaphors and similes and their properties can help you improve your writing.

If you think you can write compelling and engaging articles, and these figures of speech come naturally to you, consider becoming an independent professional writer or editor.

Independent editing and copywriting are both exciting fields, allowing you to work with clients worldwide. Additionally, you can find many resources for independent writers to help you identify work opportunities, manage your time, and build your brand.

If you believe you have what it takes, we encourage you to sign up with Upwork. We have thousands of independent copywriting jobs on Upwork and plenty of clients waiting to engage your services!

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