What defines a simile?

• A. A comparison using 'like' or 'as'.
• B. A direct comparison without using like or as.
• C. A contrast between expectation and reality.
• D. A symbol used to represent quality.

Answer: (A)

A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by linking them with the words like or as. This explicit cue helps you see similarities between things that aren’t alike in most ways, creating a vivid image. For example, saying someone is “as brave as a lion” or “like a fish out of water” uses like or as to draw a clear, memorable comparison.

This distinguishes a simile from a metaphor, which makes a direct comparison without using like or as (for instance, “time is a thief”). It also isn’t about a contrast between expectation and reality (that would be irony) or about a symbol representing quality (that’s symbolism). The key feature here is the explicit use of like or as to connect two different things.