Question

What is the difference between a metaphor and a simile?

Answer 1

The two are so similar.. it confuses me.

Answer 2

First off, do you know what metaphors and similes are?

Answer 3

If so, describe them

Answer 4

Its like when You say "She is fat as a whale!"

Answer 5

Or "She is as graceful as a swan!"

Answer 6

Metaphors: A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes a subject by asserting that it is, on some point of comparison, the same as another otherwise unrelated object.

Similes: A simile is a rhetorical figure expressing comparison or likeness that directly compares two objects through some connective word such as like, as, so, than, or many other verbs such as resembles.

Although similes and metaphors are generally seen as interchangeable, similes acknowledge the imperfections and limitations of the comparative relationship to a greater extent than metaphors. Similes also hedge/protect the author against outrageous, incomplete, or unfair comparison. Generally, metaphor is the stronger and more encompassing of the two forms of rhetorical analogies.

Answer 7

Can you give me an example of the two?

Answer 8

And what is an analogy? That is pretty similar as well right?

Answer 9

This desk is a whale - Metaphor

That cow is more stealthy than a ninja - Simile

Answer 10

I have never seen a stealthy cow before xDD And that must be one huge desk omg. LOL

Answer 11

Desks and whales are completely related objects and they were compared in a syntax that didn't involve than, as, and so.

Answer 12

*unrelated

Answer 13

I create unique examples for the fun of it c;

Answer 14

Oh I see, but what is an analogy?

Answer 15

An analogy is a comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar. Metaphors and similes are tools used to draw an analogy. Therefore, analogy is more extensive and elaborate than either a simile or a metaphor.

A simile is an expressed analogy; a metaphor is an implied one.

Answer 16

OHH I see!! If you dont mind me I'm going to write this all down.

Answer 17

Haha ok :P

Answer 18

Thank you so so so much :) I'm trying to study and refresh my self.

Answer 19

Haha no problem :P