What is a simile, and how does it differ from a metaphor?

A simile is a figure of speech that creates a comparison between two different things using the words "like" or "as." This technique allows for vivid imagery and helps to illustrate a quality of one thing by comparing it directly to another. For example, saying "as brave as a lion" draws a clear connection between the bravery being described and the well-known bravery attributed to lions.

In contrast, a metaphor makes a comparison without using "like" or "as," suggesting that one thing is another. For instance, saying "time is a thief" implies that time stealthily takes away moments in the same way a thief would steal.

This distinction between similes and metaphors is important because it influences the way we interpret comparisons in various forms of writing, including poetry and prose. Understanding this difference helps in recognizing how authors enhance their language and convey deeper meanings. Other options either misrepresent the relationship between similes and metaphors or incorrectly limit the contexts in which similes can be used.