Figurative Language

Simile Comparisons using like or as Ex: As smooth as silk As fast as the wind Quick like the wind As rich as Bill Gates As sour as a lemon Timothy Lemon, Pd 1 As soft as a cloud Mariah Livingston, Pd 1

Metaphor Comparison without using like or as Ex: You’re such an airhead It’s bursting with flavor It’s all Greek to me

Hyperbole An exaggerating statement Ex: In order to get my assignment done I’ll have to work straight through to Christmas! My book bag weighs a ton. Ryan Mauldin, Pd. 4 If you don’t let me go to the bathroom, I’ll die! Reuben Kyles, 2nd Pd I’m so hungry I could eat a horse! Ashlyn Hornback, Pd. 4

Personification Giving something a human quality Ex: The sun smiled down on me. The leaves danced in the wind. My pencil got legs and walked away. Camden Barlow, 1st Pd The tree’s branches waved at me. Keira Turner, Pd. 4 The engine purred. Sawyer Owen, Pd. 4

Idiom An everyday saying that doesn’t exactly mean what the words say It’s raining cats and dogs. He’s a backseat driver. Someone cut the cheese. Katie Leonard, 2nd Pd (When someone is singing poorly) You’re killing the birds. Brooke Greenhut, 2nd Pd. I’m tired; I’m going to hit the hay. Savannah Harris, Pd.4

Symbolism Something concrete that stands for something else, such as an idea or emotion Ex: He was filled with pride at the sight of the American flag. She showed her Alabama pride when she wore her hoodie with the big “A”. Shelton Moon, 1st Pd.

Pun A play on words; a deliberate confusion of words Ex: Santa’s helpers are subordinate Clauses. If you throw a cat out a car window does it become kitty litter? Did you hear about the optometrist who fell into a lens grinder and made a spectacle of himself? Sign at a deer crossing: The Buck Stops Here.

Irony Using words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning Ex: One of the identical twins says to the other, "You're ugly!" I saw a fish drowning. Many things can be preserved in alcohol. Dignity is not one of them. Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference. Marriage is the leading cause of divorce I have been down so long, it looks like up to me.