What is the definition of simile?

Beginners

A simile is a comparison between two things that uses the words 'like' or 'as'. For example, "She swims like a fish." or "He's as busy as a bee."

Intermediate

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things that are not alike using the words 'like' or 'as'. For example, "Her eyes were as bright as the sun" is a simile because it compares the brightness of someone's eyes to the brightness of the sun using the word 'as'.

Advanced

For advanced learners, a simile can be defined as a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things using the words "like" or "as". It is used to create a more vivid and expressive description by likening one thing to another that is seemingly unrelated. Similes can be used in poetry, literature, and everyday language to convey complex ideas and emotions. A simile can stimulate the reader's imagination and make the writing more engaging and interesting.