Using Similes
There are many similes in the English language. Some very common similes that can be applied in both spoken and written English are:
Note: similes is pronounced "si-mi-lis NOT "si-miles"
as black as charcoal (to show emphasis on something that looks black in color)
The smoke caught his face and made it look as black as charcoal!
as white as snow (to show emphasis on something that looks very white)
In her dream, Laura saw a beautiful fairy who had a complexion that was as white as snow.
as blind as a bat (to show emphasis on somebody who can't notice or see something even when that something is right before him)
The notes were right under his nose, but he just didn't see them. He was as blind as a bat!
as busy as a bee / as busy as bees (to show emphasis on someone who is very busy)
I don't think I can accompany you as I'll be as busy as a bee,
The girls will have to submit their assignment tomorrow. They'll be as busy as bees the whole day today.
as clumsy as a bear (to show emphasis on someone who is clumsy)
Look out! Here comes Fatty! He's as clumsy as a bear. If you don't make way for him, he'll knock you over!
as cunning as a fox (to show emphasis on someone who is always up to tricks)
If you want to close a business deal with Wilson, just mind the tricks up his sleeve. He's as cunning as a fox.
as easy as ABC (to show emphasis on something that is easy)
Give the students something harder. These exercises are as easy as ABC for them.
as hungry as a wolf (to show emphasis on someone who is very hungry)
Is there anything to eat? I'm as hungry as a wolf. I can eat everything you have in your fridge!
as light as a feather (to show how light something is)
My bag contains only a few books. It is as light as a feather and I can bring it with me wherever I go.
as quick as lightning (to show how quick an action is)
Luckily I was as quick as lightning and managed to grab at the porcelain vase before it hit the ground.
as wise as an owl (to show how wise someone is)
They usually ask the professor for advice because they think that he is as wise as an owl.
as stupid as an ass/a donkey (note! this simile can actually insult people)
The new student was very upset when his classmates said he was as stupid as an ass.
as talkative as a magpie (to show how talkative somebody is)
Felicia is the most talkative girl in class. That's why her classmates often say: "Felicia, you're as talkative as a magpie!"
as sharp as a razor (to show how sharp something is)
Be careful! That penknife is as sharp as a razor!
as sweet as honey (to show how sweet something is)
Let's eat these strawberries. They're as sweet as honey.
as pretty as a fairy (to show emphasis on someone who is pretty)
Wow! Look at Cecilia! She's wearing a her new evening gown. Oh! She looks very pretty, as pretty as a fairy!
as bald as an egg (to show emphasis on somebody who has zero hair on his head)
My 80-year-old grandfather has no hair. In fact, he's as bald as an egg!
as dry as a bone/dust (to show emphasis on something that is extremely dry)
That well is as dry as a bone/dust. There's not even a drop of water in it!
It has not rained for months and the ground is as dry as a bone/dust.
as cool as a cucumber (to show that a person remains calm even when he/she is in a difficult or frustrating or embarrassing or exciting situation)
Everyone was very excited, but Kelvin was as cool as a cucumber.
as clear as crystal (to show how clear something is)
The water that comes out from the water filter appears as clear as crystal.
as slow as a snail (to show how slow somebody does something/how slow something is moving)
Sharon takes a few days to complete just one assignment. She's as slow as a snail.
The vehicles move as slow as snails at peak/rush hours.
as proud as a peacock (to show somebody is very proud)
Felicia's parents are very wealthy, and that's what makes her so proud. No wonder her classmates say: Felicia, you're as proud as a peacock!
Pauline is the top student in class and because of that, she always gives her classmates the impression she's proud. Her classmates often say: You're as proud as a peacock.
as dead as a doornail (to show that something is really lifeless/dead)
"That beetle is not moving. Is it still alive?" Lionel asked his brother.
"No, it's dead, as dead as a doornail," answered Lionel's brother.
Click on "Vocabulary Articles" for more vocabulary.
Note: similes is pronounced "si-mi-lis NOT "si-miles"
as black as charcoal (to show emphasis on something that looks black in color)
The smoke caught his face and made it look as black as charcoal!
as white as snow (to show emphasis on something that looks very white)
In her dream, Laura saw a beautiful fairy who had a complexion that was as white as snow.
as blind as a bat (to show emphasis on somebody who can't notice or see something even when that something is right before him)
The notes were right under his nose, but he just didn't see them. He was as blind as a bat!
as busy as a bee / as busy as bees (to show emphasis on someone who is very busy)
I don't think I can accompany you as I'll be as busy as a bee,
The girls will have to submit their assignment tomorrow. They'll be as busy as bees the whole day today.
as clumsy as a bear (to show emphasis on someone who is clumsy)
Look out! Here comes Fatty! He's as clumsy as a bear. If you don't make way for him, he'll knock you over!
as cunning as a fox (to show emphasis on someone who is always up to tricks)
If you want to close a business deal with Wilson, just mind the tricks up his sleeve. He's as cunning as a fox.
as easy as ABC (to show emphasis on something that is easy)
Give the students something harder. These exercises are as easy as ABC for them.
as hungry as a wolf (to show emphasis on someone who is very hungry)
Is there anything to eat? I'm as hungry as a wolf. I can eat everything you have in your fridge!
as light as a feather (to show how light something is)
My bag contains only a few books. It is as light as a feather and I can bring it with me wherever I go.
as quick as lightning (to show how quick an action is)
Luckily I was as quick as lightning and managed to grab at the porcelain vase before it hit the ground.
as wise as an owl (to show how wise someone is)
They usually ask the professor for advice because they think that he is as wise as an owl.
as stupid as an ass/a donkey (note! this simile can actually insult people)
The new student was very upset when his classmates said he was as stupid as an ass.
as talkative as a magpie (to show how talkative somebody is)
Felicia is the most talkative girl in class. That's why her classmates often say: "Felicia, you're as talkative as a magpie!"
as sharp as a razor (to show how sharp something is)
Be careful! That penknife is as sharp as a razor!
as sweet as honey (to show how sweet something is)
Let's eat these strawberries. They're as sweet as honey.
as pretty as a fairy (to show emphasis on someone who is pretty)
Wow! Look at Cecilia! She's wearing a her new evening gown. Oh! She looks very pretty, as pretty as a fairy!
as bald as an egg (to show emphasis on somebody who has zero hair on his head)
My 80-year-old grandfather has no hair. In fact, he's as bald as an egg!
as dry as a bone/dust (to show emphasis on something that is extremely dry)
That well is as dry as a bone/dust. There's not even a drop of water in it!
It has not rained for months and the ground is as dry as a bone/dust.
as cool as a cucumber (to show that a person remains calm even when he/she is in a difficult or frustrating or embarrassing or exciting situation)
Everyone was very excited, but Kelvin was as cool as a cucumber.
as clear as crystal (to show how clear something is)
The water that comes out from the water filter appears as clear as crystal.
as slow as a snail (to show how slow somebody does something/how slow something is moving)
Sharon takes a few days to complete just one assignment. She's as slow as a snail.
The vehicles move as slow as snails at peak/rush hours.
as proud as a peacock (to show somebody is very proud)
Felicia's parents are very wealthy, and that's what makes her so proud. No wonder her classmates say: Felicia, you're as proud as a peacock!
Pauline is the top student in class and because of that, she always gives her classmates the impression she's proud. Her classmates often say: You're as proud as a peacock.
as dead as a doornail (to show that something is really lifeless/dead)
"That beetle is not moving. Is it still alive?" Lionel asked his brother.
"No, it's dead, as dead as a doornail," answered Lionel's brother.
Click on "Vocabulary Articles" for more vocabulary.
By Susan L
On 2/28/2010 12:30:00 AM
1 Comment(s)
View More Articles... On 2/28/2010 12:30:00 AM
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Sunday, February 28, 2010 2:33:00 PM
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it ~ by Anonymous