Similes: as busy as a bee or as lazy as a lizard?

Similes can be found just about anywhere; from the printed word to oral conversation; in language, literature, and music. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things that are alike in some way. To help you identify a simile versus a metaphor, know that the words “like” or “as” are typically used in a simile.

Well-known similes are:

• “cute as a kitten,” comparing the way someone looks to the way a kitten looks

• “as busy as a bee” comparing someone’s level of energy to a fast-flying bee

Similes can make our language more descriptive and enjoyable. Writers, poets, and songwriters make use of similes often to add depth and emphasize what they are trying to convey to the reader or listener. Similes can be funny, serious, mean, or creative.

The year 2 students have been really creative using similes this week! Ask them all about it, maybe you can share some in your languages at home too!