What Are Similes Metaphors And Personification Called

The other day, my friend Jake tried to describe his new boss. "She's a dragon," he said, shaking his head. I nodded, instantly picturing someone breathing fire in a boardroom. I didn't actually think she had scales or wings, but I knew exactly what he meant.

That's when it hit me: we use figurative language all the time without even thinking. It’s the secret sauce of everyday conversation. You probably do it too, and you might not even realize it.

So, what are similes, metaphors, and personification actually called as a group? The answer is a bit of a mouthful, but stick with me. They belong to the big, cozy family known as figures of speech.

The Fancy Family Name: Figures of Speech

Think of figures of speech as the artistic rebels of language. They refuse to say exactly what they mean, because being literal is just so dull. Instead, they use comparisons, exaggerations, and personifications to paint a picture in your head.

If you're looking for the official term to impress someone at a dinner party, you can call them rhetorical devices. But that sounds a bit like something a professor would shout in a library. Let’s keep it real.

More specifically, similes, metaphors, and personification fall under the subcategory of tropes. Yes, like "trope" as in a common theme, but here it means a twist in the meaning of words. Fancy, right?

Simile: The "Like" or "As" Comparison

A simile is the most polite member of the family. It says, "Hey, you remind me of this other thing, but I'm going to use 'like' or 'as' so you don't get confused." For example: "My love is like a red, red rose." (Thanks, Robert Burns.)

It’s the training wheels of figurative language. You know exactly what’s being compared. No guessing games. Just pure, simple clarity.

Side note: if you say "My love is as deep as the ocean," that’s a simile. If you say "My love is the ocean," you’ve just graduated to the next level.

Poetry Analysis. metaphor, simile, metonymy, personification. - Yvision.kz

Metaphor: The Direct Declaration

Metaphors are the bold ones. They skip the "like" and just claim: "You are that thing." When you say "Time is a thief," you’re not being literal—time doesn’t wear a mask and steal your wallet. But it feels like it does, right?

This is where language gets powerful. A metaphor forces your brain to work harder. You have to connect the dots yourself. That’s why poets and marketers love them.

Think about it: if I say "The city was a jungle," you immediately imagine danger, survival, and concrete vines. It’s way more vivid than saying "The city was crowded and chaotic."

Personification: Giving Things a Pulse

Now, personification is the playful one. It gives human qualities to things that are definitely not human. Like when you say "The wind whispered through the trees." Wind doesn’t have vocal cords, but now it feels secretive.

This trick makes abstract ideas feel alive. Your car can "cough" before it breaks down. The sun can "smile" on a good day. It’s like the world suddenly has a personality.

Personification is also sneaky in advertising. Ever seen a car commercial where the vehicle "longs" for the open road? That’s it. They’re trying to make you feel sorry for a hunk of metal.

Similes Metaphors Personification Worksheets

Why You Should Care About These Names

Honestly, you don’t need to know the official term to use them well. But knowing the name gives you power. When you can label a metaphor or a simile, you can spot when someone is trying to manipulate your emotions.

Politicians love metaphors. They’ll say "This policy is a bridge to the future." Sounds nice, right? But it’s just a comparison. You can now ask: Is it really a bridge, or just a plank of wood?

And let’s be real—knowing the terms makes you sound smart in casual conversation. Drop "that’s a clever trope" at a party, and people will think you’re a literary genius. Use it ironically, and you’ll get a laugh.

The Final, Cheeky Summary

So, what are similes, metaphors, and personification called? They are figures of speech, specifically tropes. But honestly, you can just call them the tools that make language not boring.

Next time you say "This suitcase weighs a ton," you’re using a hyperbole (another figure of speech, but that’s a story for another day). Or when you say "My phone is a brick," that’s a metaphor. See? You’re already an expert.

So go ahead, describe your Monday morning as "a grumpy bear waking up." That’s personification. And then thank yourself for being such a colorful communicator. You’re welcome.