Simile-Metaphor | Commonly Confused Words

Simile

/ˈsɪməli/

A figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'

Her smile was as bright as the sun itself.The garden was as lively as a bustling city market.His voice was as smooth as velvet curtains falling.

/ˈmetəfə/

A figure of speech where a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Religious metaphors abound.But there's more to the muscle metaphor.The 'journey' metaphor illuminates life's unpredictability.

This word has no antonyms

A simile uses like or as to compare two different things.
In a metaphor, one thing is said to be another directly, without like or as.
Similes are more explicit in their comparisons, making them easier to identify.
Metaphors suggest the comparison more subtly, often requiring deeper thinking to understand.
If you see the words like or as, it's likely a simile.