Simile Definition
simile
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English
Etymology
First attested 1393, from Latin simile ("comparison, likeness", "parallel"), originally from simile the neuter form of similis ("like, similar, resembling"). Confer the English similar.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈsɪməli/
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Audio (US) (file)
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“A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” Irina Dunn (1970) |
Noun
simile (plural similes or similia)
- A figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another, in the case of English generally using like or as.
- A simile is like a metaphor.
Hypernyms
Related terms
terms related to simile (noun)See also
- Simile on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
- metaphor
- Category:English similes
- Appendix:English similes - an appendix containing many similes
Anagrams
Esperanto
Adverb
simile
Italian
Etymology
From Latin similis.
Adjective
simile m. and f. (m and f plural simili)
- similar
- Non è molto simile. It is not very similar.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related terms
Latin
Adjective
simile
- nominative neuter singular of similis
- accusative neuter singular of similis
- vocative neuter singular of similis
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Unlike a metaphor, a simile can be as precise as the user needs it to be, to explicitly predicate a single feature of a target or to vaguely predicate an under-determined and open-ended body of features. Empirical research supports the observation that similes are more likely to be used with explicit explanations of their intended meaning; this offers some support to the claim that similes are preferred if a user wants to associate an unusual or out-of-the-ordinary property with a target.