Figurative Language
Simile
A direct comparison of
two unlike things using
the words ‘like’ or ‘as.’
• The desert was as dry as a bone.
• Her tempers were like an
uncontrollable storm.
• He's as cool as a cucumber.
• Rain plastered the land until it was
shining like hammered lead.
Figurative Language
Metaphor
A direct comparison of
two unlike things stating
that one is the other or
does the actions of the
other.
• The wind was a torrent of darkness
among the gusty trees.
• Her fingers danced across the
keyboard.
• His stomach was a twisted storm of
butterflies.
Figurative Language
Personification
Giving human
characteristics to
something non-human
such as an object,
animal, or abstract idea.
• As I climbed the stairs, the staircase
groaned as if awoken from a long sleep.
• The days crept by slowly, sorrowfully.
• Seaweed snatched at his legs as he tried
to swim away.
Figurative Language
Metonym
A figure of speech in
which a person, place or
thing is referred to by
something closely
associated with it.
• The pen is mightier than the sword.
• Wall Street braces for further rate rises.
• Hollywood wants to feature more
actors with disabilities
Figurative Language
Symbolism
When an ordinary
object, event, animal, or
person represents
extraordinary meaning
or significance.
• The dove is a symbol of peace.
• A red rose stands for love or romance.
• A skull can represent danger or death.
• A fork in the road may symbolise a
choice or a decision.
Figurative Language
Oxymoron
A combination of two
words that appear to
contradict each other.
• Clearly • Deafening
confused silence
• Seriously funny • Small crowd
• Bittersweet • Pretty ugly
• Jumbo shrimp • Awfully good
• Old news • Act naturally
Figurative Language
Paradox
A statement which seems
contradictory but may
reveal an unexpected
truth.
• All people are equal, but some are more
equal than others
• You’ve got to be cruel to be kind
• I can resist anything but temptation
• Less is more
• The only constant is change
Figurative Language
Euphemism
An understatement, used
to lessen the effect of a
statement that might
sound harsh, offensive or
hurtful.
• She is at rest / She passed away
• I need to use the ladies room
• I'm sorry but you're being let go
• Our dog had to be put down
• I'm currently between jobs
• She's a late bloomer
Figurative Language
Allusion
A brief reference to
some person, historical
event, work of art, or
Biblical or mythological
situation or character.
• When she lost her job, she acted like a
Scrooge, and refused to buy anything
that wasn’t necessary.
• I thought the software would be useful,
but it was a Trojan Horse.
• Chocolate cake is my kryptonite.
Figurative Language
Alliteration
Repeated consonant
sounds at the beginning
of words placed near
each other or next to
each other.
• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled
peppers.
• Slim-pinioned swallows sweep and
pass.
• The barbarians broke through the
barricade.
Figurative Language
Assonance
Repeated vowel sounds
in words placed near
each other, usually on
the same or adjacent
lines.
• I feel stressed and restless.
• The dapper lad chatted to the other
happy chap.
• Johnny went here and there and
everywhere.
• Go slow over the road to nowhere.
Figurative Language
Onomatopoeia
The formation of a word
to imitate the natural
sound of something
associated with it.
• The clang of the pots and pans and
woke the baby.
• The wolves howled at the moon.
• Zoom! Went the race car as it sped past
the finish line.
• The bacon sizzled in the pan
Figurative Language
Analogy
A comparison between
one thing and another,
typically for the purpose
of explanation or
clarification.
• Finding a good man is like finding a
needle in a haystack.
• Explaining a joke is like dissecting a frog.
You understand it better but the frog dies
in the process.
• The movie was a rollercoaster ride of
emotions.
Figurative Language
Idiom
A group of words
established by usage as
having a meaning not
deducible from those of
the individual words.
• I was over the moon.
• Put in some elbow grease.
• She was sitting on the fence.
• You have your finger on the pulse.
• He's got a chip on his shoulder.
• Don't beat around the bush.
Figurative Language
Irony
Contradictory statements or
situations that reveal a
reality that is different from
what appears to be true. It
can be verbal, situational or
dramatic.
• Telling a quiet group not to speak all at once
(verbal)
• Leaving a car wash when it begins to rain
heavily (situational)
• A woman thinks her boyfriend is about to
break up with her but we know he bought
her an engagement ring (dramatic)
Figurative Language
Hyperbole
A figure of speech that
presents an
overstatement or
exaggeration for
emphasis.
• I’ve told you to clean your room a
million times
• If I can’t buy that perfect prom
dress, I’ll die
• I was so cold I froze into an
iceblock
Figurative Language
Synechdoche
When a whole object or
idea is referred to by the
name of one of its
smaller parts.
• That's a nice set of wheels
• All hands on deck.
• At lunch time this whole square is
filled with suits.
• There are a lot more mouths to feed.
Figurative Language
Pun
A joke exploiting the
different possible meanings
of a word or the fact that
there are words which
sound alike but have
different meanings.
• The bakery went bankrupt as it
didn't make enough dough.
• If you're going to the dentist you
need to know the drill.
• A glue salesman always sticks to his
word.
