Simile
/ˈsɪm.ɪ.li/noun
A figure of speech that compares two different things in an explicit way, often using 'like' or 'as.'
Did you know?In ancient rhetoric, similes were revered not just for comparison, but as tools believed to invoke deeper truths and enchant the listener's mind.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
simile
“'like' or 'similar', often used to denote resemblance.”
Old French
Old French
simile
“Retained the meaning of 'like' or 'similar', in literary contexts.”
14th Century
Middle English
simile
“Introduced into English as a term for a poetic device comparing two unlike things.”
Modern English
English
simile
“Now commonly understood as a rhetorical device used in literature and speech.”
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