Metaphor vs. Simile

A metaphor means that two things are the same in all ways. For example, He is a pig means that he is like a pig in many ways: size, appetite, manners, etc.

A simile, however, means that the two things are the same in 1 way. For example, He is fat like a pig or He is as fat as a pig means that he is very fat.

Comparison chart

Metaphor versus Simile comparison chart

	Metaphor	Simile
Structure	A is B	A is like B OR A is as _____ as B
Similarity between 2 things	All attributes	1 attribute

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"Metaphor vs Simile." Diffen.com. Diffen LLC, n.d. Web. 30 Dec 2025. < >