Similes, metaphors, idioms & more · Examples & quiz · Grades 3–7
Figurative language uses words in creative ways that go beyond their literal meaning. Writers and speakers use figurative language to paint vivid pictures, express emotions, and make their ideas more memorable. Learning to recognize and use figurative language is an important reading and writing skill for students in grades 3 through 8.
The most common types of figurative language include simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and idiom. A simile compares two things using the words "like" or "as," such as "brave as a lion." A metaphor makes a direct comparison without using "like" or "as," such as "time is money." Personification gives human qualities to nonhuman things, like "the wind whispered."
Hyperbole is extreme exaggeration used for effect, such as "I have told you a million times." Onomatopoeia uses words that imitate sounds, like "buzz," "crash," or "sizzle." Alliteration repeats the same beginning consonant sound in a series of words, like "Peter Piper picked a peck." Idioms are expressions whose meaning is different from the individual words, like "it is raining cats and dogs."
In this interactive game, students identify different types of figurative language in example sentences. Immediate feedback and scoring make it fun to practice. This tool aligns with Common Core ELA standards for reading comprehension and language skills.
Last reviewed: April 2026