Simile vs. Metaphor
By
Kim Estes
A simile is a comparison that uses like, as, or than to compare to dissimilar things (or things that are not alike).
Look at the picture at the top of the page. The man is as strong as an ox. He is not an ox...but he is being compared to one.
This is a simile because of the use of the word AS.
A metaphor is a comparison of two things to show a resemblence without using like, as, or than.
When someone is kind to us or does nice things for others, we may say "She's an angel."
We don't mean that she sprouted wings and plays a harp. We mean she has similar qualities to an angel.
Simile
As cute as a button
Faster than a speeding bullet
As black as coal
My love is like a red, red rose
Metaphors
She was a star in the heavens
He has the heart of a lion
You are the apple of my eye
You are the wind beneath my wings