Simile vs. Smile — What's the Difference?

A simile () is a figure of speech that directly compares two things. Similes differ from other metaphors by highlighting the similarities between two things using comparison words such as "like", "as", "so", or " than", while other metaphors create an implicit comparison (i.e.

A smile is formed primarily by flexing the muscles at the sides of the mouth. Some smiles include a contraction of the muscles at the corner of the eyes, an action known as a Duchenne smile.

A figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as, as in "How like the winter hath my absence been" or "So are you to my thoughts as food to life" (Shakespeare).

A facial expression characterized by an upward curving of the corners of the mouth and indicating pleasure, amusement, or derision.

A figure of speech in which one thing is explicitly compared to another, using e.g. like or as.

To have or form a smile.

A word or phrase by which anything is likened, in one or more of its aspects, to something else; a similitude; a poetical or imaginative comparison.

To look with favor or approval

A figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as')

To express cheerful acceptance or equanimity

To express with a smile

A facial expression comprised by flexing the muscles of both ends of one's mouth, often showing the front teeth, without vocalisation, and in humans is a common involuntary or voluntary expression of happiness, pleasure, amusement, goodwill, or anxiety.

(figurative) Favour; propitious regard.

A drink bought by one person for another.

(ambitransitive) To have (a smile) on one's face.

(transitive) To express by smiling.

(intransitive) To express amusement, pleasure, or love and kindness.

(intransitive) To look cheerful and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy.

(intransitive) To be propitious or favourable; to countenance.

To express amusement, pleasure, moderate joy, or love and kindness, by the features of the face; to laugh silently.

To express slight contempt by a look implying sarcasm or pity; to sneer.

To look gay and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy; as, smiling spring; smiling plenty.

To be propitious or favorable; to favor; to countenance; - often with on; as, to smile on one's labors.

To express by a smile; as, to smile consent; to smile a welcome to visitors.

To affect in a certain way with a smile.

The act of smiling; a peculiar change or brightening of the face, which expresses pleasure, moderate joy, mirth, approbation, or kindness; - opposed to frown.

A somewhat similar expression of countenance, indicative of satisfaction combined with malevolent feelings, as contempt, scorn, etc; as, a scornful smile.

Favor; countenance; propitiousness; as, the smiles of Providence.

Gay or joyous appearance; as, the smiles of spring.

A facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

Change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

Express with a smile;