simile

UK: /ˈsɪmɪli/ US: /ˈsɪməli/ ,(sim′ə lē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sim•i•le /ˈsɪməli/   n. 

1. Rhetoric [uncountable] a figure of speech in which two distinct things are compared by using "like'' or "as,'' such as in "She is like a rose.''
2. an example of this:
   [countable] How many similes can you find in the first paragraph?

See -simil-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sim•i•le  (sim′ə lē), n. 

1. Rhetoric a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in "she is like a rose.'' Cf. metaphor. 
2. Rhetoric an instance of such a figure of speech or a use of words exemplifying it.

• Latin: image, likeness, comparison, noun, nominal use of neuter of similis similar
• Middle English 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

simile / ˈsɪmɪlɪ/ noun

1. a figure of speech that expresses the resemblance of one thing to another of a different category, usually introduced by as or like
   Compare metaphor

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin simile something similar, from similis like