Did You Know?: A list of Similes - Common English Similes

A simile is defined as a figure of speech that draws a comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word "like" or "as". Thus, it is a figurative language drawing comparison - the likening of one thing to another. There are many examples of similes that are used in our everyday conversation however, the list of Similes below are examples of just a few, using the word “as” only. Some examples of using “like” are:

Few Examples of Similes using “like”
My love is like a red, red rose
He eats like a bird
How like the winter hath my absence been” (Shakespeare).
The realization hit me like a bucket of cold water.
The snow was like a blanket.
Death lies on her, like an untimely frost —William Shakespeare
Suspicion climbed all over her face, like a kitten, but not so playfully —Raymond Chandler
"When calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over your like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you." (Prov. 1:27)

A list of Similes using “as”

A
As agile as a monkey
As alike as two peas in a pod

B
As bald as a baby's backside
As bald as a badger
As bald as a coot
As big as a bus
As big as an elephant
As black as a sweep
As black as coal
As black as one is painted
As black as pitch
As blind as a bat
As blind as a mole
As bold as brass
As brave as a lion
As bright as a button
As bright as a new pin
As bright as day
As busy as a beaver
As busy as a bee
As busy as a cat on a hot tin roof

C
As calm as a millpond
As clear as a bell
As clean as a hound's tooth
As clean as a whistle
As clear as crystal
As clear as mud
As cold as ice
As common as dirt
As cool as a cucumber
As crazy as a loon
As cunning as a fox
As cute as a button
As cute as a cup cake

D
As dead as a doornail
As dead as the dodo
As deaf as a post
As delicate as a flower
As dense as a brick
As different as chalk from cheese
As drunk as a lord
As dry as a bone
As dry as dust
As dull as dishwater

E
As easy as A.B.C.
As easy as pie

F
As fat as a pig
As fit as a fiddle
As flat as a pancake
As free as a bird
As fresh as a daisy

G
As gentle as a lamb As good as gold

H
As happy as a clown
As happy as a lark
As happy as Larry
As happy as a rat with a gold tooth
As hard as nails
As high as a kite
As hoarse as a crow
As hot as hell
As hungry as a bear
As hungry as a wolf

I
As innocent as a lamb

K
As keen as mustard

L
As large as life
As light as a feather
As light as air
As likely as not
As lowly as a worm

M
As mad as a hatter
As mad as a hornet
As mad as the march hare
As merry as a cricket
As modest as a maiden
As much use as a yard of pump water

N
As naked as a baby
As neat as a pin
As nutty as a fruitcake

O
As obstinate as a mule
As old as the hills

P
As pale as death
As patient as Job
As plain as day
As pleased as Punch
As poor as a church mouse
As poor as dirt
As pretty as a picture
As proud as a peacock
As pure as snow
As pure as the driven snow

Q
As quick as a wink
As quick as lightning
As quick as silver

R
As right as rain

S
As safe as houses
As scarce as hen's teeth
As sensitive as a flower
As sharp as a needle
As sharp as a razor
As sick as a dog
As sick as a parrot
As silent as the dead
As silent as the grave
As silly as a goose
As slippery as an eel
As slow as molasses
As slow as a snail
As slow as a tortoise
As slow as a wet weekend
As smooth as silk
As snug as a bug in a rug
As sober as a judge
As soft as a baby's bottom
As solid as a rock
As solid as the ground we stand on
As sound as a bell
As sour as vinegar
As steady as a rock
As sticky as jam
As stiff as a board
As still as death
As straight as an arrow
As strong as an ox
As stubborn as a mule
As sturdy as an oak
As sure as death and taxes
As sweet as honey

T
As tall as a giraffe
As tight as a drum
As thick as a brick
As thin as a rake
As thin as a toothpick
As timid as a rabbit
As tough as leather
As tough as nails
As tough as old boots
As tricky as a box of monkeys

W
As welcome as a skunk at a lawn party
As white as a ghost
As white as a sheet
As white as snow
As wise as Solomon
As wise as an owl