Literary Term- Simile

 Important Literary Term with Examples

Simile: This literary term is used to compare between two dissimilar things but both the things share a common quality. The comparison between two things in a simile is explicit. The simile markers are: as, like, similar.

Some examples of simile with explanation are given below:

a)      I wandered lonely as a cloud

Here two things are compared. They are ‘I’ and ‘cloud’. The two things are dissimilar but both share a common quality namely ‘loneliness’. There is a simile marker in the line (as). So, this is an example of simile.

b)      The champak odors fall like sweet thoughts in a dream.

Two dissimilar things are compared. They are ‘the champak’ and ‘sweet thoughts’. But both share a common quality namely ‘pleasure’. The comparison is very clear here. And there is a simile marker – ‘like’. So, this is an example of a simile.

c)      Her locks were yellow as gold

Here two dissimilar things are compared. They are ‘her locks’ and ‘gold’. Both shares a common thing namely ‘color-yellow’. The comparison is so clear. There is a simile marker (as). So, it is an example of simile.

d)      Thy soul was like a star that dwelt apart.

Here two dissimilar things are compared. They are ‘thy soul’ and ‘a star’. Both share a common thing that they can’t be touched. The comparison is very clear here. There is a simile marker (like). So, it is an example of simile.

e)      The holy time is quiet as a nun

Here two dissimilar things are compared. They are ‘the holy time’ and ‘a nun’. Both share a common thing namely ‘quietness or purity’. Both indicates a peaceful idea. There is a simile marker (as). So, this is an example of simile.

f)       Fear at my heart, as at a cup,

My life-blood seemed to sip!

 Here two dissimilar things are compared. They are ‘heart’ and ‘cup’. Both share a common thing namely ‘container’. A cup contains any kind of liquids and the heart contains feelings, emotions of human being. Here is a simile marker (as). So, this is an example of simile.