Figurative Language

Comparison of two seemingly unlike things using words such as like, as, or as if...

Example 1: Her heart is like gold.

Example 2: The world is like a stage.

Example 3: He eats like a pig.

Example 4: You are poor as dirt.

Comparison of two seemingly unlike things by describing one thing as if it were the other.

Example 1: You are my sunshine.

Example 2: The classroom is a zoo.

Example 3: He is a night owl.

Example 4: Maria is a chicken.

Gives human characteristics to a nonhuman subject.

Example 1: Lightning danced across the sky.

Example 2: The wind howled in the night.

Example 3: The car complained as the key was roughly turned in its ignition.

Example 4: Rita heard the last piece of pie calling her name.