The Many Types of Figurative Language

THE MANY TYPES OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

September 19,2011By Cathy Tedder

SimileA simile is comparing 2 things

using like or as.

Example 1My grandmother’s house is like a

living nightmare.Example 2

The creepy ghost was as white as a sheep!

MetaphorA metaphor compares 2

things with out using like or as.

Example 1Candy is a sweet paradise.

Example 2Caitlin is a skinny skeleton .

HyperboleA hyperbole uses exaggeration

to make a point.Example 1

The pug was as ugly as a goblin.Example 2

My brother scared me to death.

OnomatopoeiaAn onomatopoeia is a

sound word.Example 1

The skeletons rattled in the closet.

Example 2Suddenly there was a loud

bang!

Alliteration An alliteration is the repeating of a

beginning sound.Example 1

All the scary ghost go to the grocery store for a gross ghost party.

Example 2The candy called us to the candy

bowl on the crowded porch.

PersonificationPersonification is giving

something not human, human qualities.

Example 1The jack o` lantern followed us with his eyes as we walked by.

Example 2As the black cat walked across

our path it laughed at our costumes.

Idiom

An idiom is a well known expression that does not mean what it says.

Example 1The cat had our tongue because my

brother scared us.Example 2

The boat loud of candy was a dime a dozen.

Practice ProblemsI. The baby wined as her sister was taken

by the boogie monster.II. His costume was as scary as a duck.III. The kids were so scared they ran like

greased lighting.IV. The house was as purple as a purple

pickled eater.V. The wall poster jumped out at us once we

put the 3D glasses on.VI. Little Tommie's costume was the scary

real thing.VII.Scaring my little sis was a piece of cake.