Which comparison uses "like" or "as" to describe something?

The comparison that uses "like" or "as" to describe something is known as a simile. This figure of speech draws a direct comparison between two different things in a way that highlights a particular quality or aspect they share, by explicitly using "like" or "as." For example, saying "as brave as a lion" or "like two peas in a pod" creates vivid imagery by comparing bravery or similarity using clear terms of comparison.

In contrast, a metaphor makes an implicit comparison without using "like" or "as," suggesting that one thing is another (e.g., "Time is a thief"). An analogy often draws a more complex comparison between two things to illustrate a point or explain an idea, but it typically does so in a more elaborate context. Lastly, personification attributes human characteristics to non-human entities or objects, which serves a different purpose in writing and speech.