In any story, it is extremely valuable to be able to compare a new idea to something the audience already knows. One of the best tools to do this is the simile. Similes can make dialogue, characters, or themes of a story more relatable and easier to understand. Understanding what a simile is, the difference between simile vs. metaphor, and how a simile can be used in storytelling is essential for any well rounded writer. Before we dive into any simile examples in film and beyond, you may be wondering what the word means.
SIMILE DEFINITION
What is a simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things using the words “like” or “as.” The word comes from the Latin “similis” meaning “similar, like.” They are often used in literature such as poetry or novels, but it is also a device used in film by screenwriters.
Common similes
Similes examples in everyday life
Whether you realize it or not, you probably hear similes every day. They’re an efficient way for someone to make a point, and add color to your speech. Here are some common simile examples:
- Busy as a bee
- Run like the wind
- Cool as a cucumber
- Fresh as a daisy
- Light as a feather
- Tough as nails
- Sings like an angel
- As good as gold
- Slept like a log
You’ve heard a lot of these, right? We could go on and on, but this is just a small portion of the similes you’ll come across in your day to day.
But of course, similes aren’t relegated to clichés. In fact, most writers will want to avoid the tired similes like the ones we’ve listed.
Similes in Action
Simile examples in literature
In literature, the writer has only words to conjure a picture in their readers mind. Here are some simile examples that accomplish that excellently.
- "He looks like right after the maul hits the steer and it no longer alive and don't yet know that it is dead."
— As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner - "O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
That's sweetly played in tune."
— A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns - "The cafe was like a battleship stripped for action."
— The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Cinematic similes
Similes in movies
We see similes in literature and everyday speech, so it should come as no surprise that similes are all over movies as well. Filmmakers will use the figurative technique in dialogue as well as in the action of their script.
Like in any other medium, similes can have a myriad of functions in film. Similes can be used to hyperbolize or exaggerate a point a character wants to make. This is often used in comedy to both emphasize a point and make a joke. Consider this moment from Step Brothers.
Here, Brennan is singing for the first time in front of Dale. After singing, Brennan is insecure and does not know if Dale genuinely liked his singing or not. Dale continues to reassure him that his singing is amazing.
Now, let’s take a look at the screenplay, which did not utilize this comparison. John C. Reilly improvised the line “Your voice is like a combination of Fergie and Jesus.”
Brennan Sings • Read Full Scene
Can you see the difference between the screenplay and the final scene? John C. Reilly’s simile made the scene more hilarious and emphasized his admiration for Brennan’s voice more effectively and with fewer words. This a great simile example that results in a scene that is more hilarious and more realistic dialogue.
Here are a few more examples of similes in movies:
- “Our love was as fleeting as a summer’s day.” 500 Days of Summer
- “Your voice is sweet like honey.” A Star is Born
- “It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- “War has left the land scarred, like a wounded beast.” War Horse
- “Navigating highschool is like walking through a minefield.” Mean Girls
- “You’re cuddly as a cactus.” The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Did You Know
You may be wondering why we didn’t include one of the most famous lines in cinema: “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” That’s because it’s an analogy– Forrest compares life to a box of chocolates, and then continues to explain his point with the second sentence.
As all these examples show us, similes are an invaluable literary tool. When literal descriptions fail you, reach for a figurative comparison. The result can be surprising, funny, or moving.
UP NEXT
Explore more literary devices
Similes are just one of many literary devices and types of figurative language, including metaphors, juxtaposition, and allegories. If you're a writer and want to develop your craft fully, do yourself a favor and continue this exploration. The next article on literary devices is a gateway to many of these tools that help add substance and style to any type of written work.
