Words and phrases that have meanings beyond their literal definitions are called figurative language. Here are some common types:
• A simile compares two things that are alike using like, as, or than.
| EXAMPLES | She is as lovely as a summer day. Her eyes are like diamonds. |
• A metaphor compares two things without using like, as, or than.
| EXAMPLE | His face was a wall of stone. |
• Personification gives human qualities to things that are not human.
| EXAMPLE | The wind whispered through the trees. |
• In an idiom, the words together mean something different than the words by themselves. In the example below, cut it out means “stop doing that.”
| EXAMPLE | I was bouncing a ball inside, and Mom asked me to cut it out. |
When you come across figurative language, follow these steps to help you figure out what the words and phrases mean.
1. For metaphors and similes, ask yourself what two things are being compared. How are they alike?
2. When a writer uses personification, picture what the writer is saying. Ask yourself: How can wind sound like it is whispering?
3. You can often guess what an idiom means by looking at the other words around it. If you can’t figure it out, ask someone or check the dictionary.
Use the strategy to figure out the figurative language below.