what is simile

A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two things using comparison words such as "like", "as", "so", or "than". Similes differ from metaphors in that they use explicit comparison words, while metaphors create an implicit comparison. The thing being compared is called the tenor, and the thing it is being compared to is called the vehicle. Similes are commonly used in literature, speeches, and everyday language to make descriptions more vivid and engaging. Examples of similes include "life is like a box of chocolates" and "he stood out like a sore thumb".