SIMILES List – as… as
A simile is a figure of speech.
A simile compares two things.
Similes compare the similarities between two things using words such as “like” or “as” .
It is not necessary to learn to use similes in your speaking.
However, you may find it helpful to know what some common similes mean so that you can understand them when you hear them.
SIMILE | EXAMPLE | DEFINITION |
as bald as an eagle | He has no hair. He is as bald as an eagle. | completely bald (i.e., no hair on top of one’s head) |
as bald as an egg | He shaved his head. He’s as bald as an egg now! | completely bald (i.e., no hair on top of one’s head) |
as black as coal | Her hair is beautiful. It is as black as coal. | very black |
as blind as a bat | I have worn glasses since I was 10 years old. I am as blind as a bat without them. | to have very poor vision |
as busy as a bee | We got all the cleaning done. We were as busy as bees. | very busy |
as clear as a bell | “Can you hear me now?” the speaker asked, after turning on the microphone. “Yes,” someone in the audience answered. “As clear as a bell.” | to hear or understand very clearly |
as cold as ice | Your hands are as cold as ice! Where are your gloves? It is winter! | very cold |
as cool as a cucumber | She doesn’t get nervous speaking to large groups. She is as cool as a cucumber. | not at all nervous or uncomfortable |
as deaf as a post | My poor grandfather is as deaf as a post. You have to stand close to him and shout or he can’t hear you. | very deaf |
as dry as dust | I used the same recipe she did, but her cookies were delicious and mine were as dry as dust. | very dry |
as easy as pie | It didn’t take us long to finish. It was as easy as pie! | very easy |
as fast as lightning | He is an amazing sprinter. Look at him go! He’s as fast as lightning. | very fast |
as flat as a pancake | She squashed the bug as flat as a pancake. | very flat |
as free as a bird | After my aunt moved from the country to an apartment, she said she felt as free as a bird because there were no animals to look after. | a feeling of extreme freedom |
as fresh as a daisy | 1) I was exhausted after my airplane trip. I had a nap and then I felt as fresh as a daisy! 2) After I bath the baby, he will smell as fresh as a daisy! | refreshed; can also be used to describe a clean, fresh smell |
as good as gold | Don’t worry about leaving your two-year-old here. He is always as good as gold when we babysit him. | very good |
as happy as a lark | She is as happy as a lark in her new apartment. | happy and carefree |
as hungry as a bear | When is lunch? I am as hungry as a bear! | very hungry |
as light as a feather | Oh! That’s a surprise. I expected this box to be heavy but it is actually as light as a feather. | very light |
as mad as a hornet | When she said I couldn’t go with her, I was as mad as a hornet! | very angry |
as nutty as a fruitcake | My neighbour is as nutty as a fruitcake. One day he threw an apple at me! | crazy |
as old as the hills | I love this old bathrobe even though it is as old as the hills. | very old |
as pale as a ghost | After his car accident, he was as pale as a ghost. | when a person’s face has no tinges of colour |
as quick as a wink | Hold on! I am leaving right now. I will be there as quick as a wink. | very quickly |
as quiet as a mouse | Sshh! Be as quiet as a mouse so they don’t hear you. | very quiet |
as sick as a dog | She was as sick as a dog through her whole pregnancy. | very sick |
as slow as a turtle | Hurry up! We are going to be late. You are as slow as a turtle! | very slow |
as smooth as silk | This cheesecake is delicious. It is as smooth as silk. | very smooth |
as snug as a bug in a rug | I tucked my son into his beds. He was as snug as a bug in a rug. | wrapped up in clothing or blankets in a cozy manner |
as solid as a rock | It should be safe to invest in that company. They have been as solid as a rock for 50 years. | trustworthy, stable |
as sound as a bell | The doctor says I am as sound as bell. No problems at all. | to be very healthy, or in good condition |
as stiff as a board | He is definitely dead. He is as stiff as a board. | not at all flexible, or able to bend |
as straight as an arrow | I know she didn’t cheat. That girl is as straight as an arrow. | very truthful, morally upright |
as strong as an ox (or as a bull) | Get my dad to help you move your bookcase. He is as strong as an ox. | very strong |
as stubborn as a mule | If he said no, he won’t change his mind. He is as stubborn as an ox. | very stubbon |
as thin as a rake | I am worried about her. She has lost so much weight she is as thin as a rake. | very thin |
as white as a sheet | After her accident, she was as white as a sheet. | when a person has no colour in their face because they are ill, or frightened |
as wise as an owl | My grandmother helped me solve problems I had in life many times. She was as wise as an owl. | very wise |
