Analogy vs. Simile — What's the Difference?

A representation of something else.

A direct and explicit comparison to suggest a likeness.

A comparison between two things to highlight some form of resemblance.

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using "like" or "as".

A relationship between two pairs of words or phrases.

A poetic device used to emphasize shared qualities using a comparative phrase.

A similarity in some respects between things otherwise unlike.

An illustrative juxtaposition where attributes of one thing are used to enhance understanding of another.

Analogy (from Greek ἀναλογία, analogia, "proportion", from ana- "upon, according to" [also "against", "anew"] + logos "ratio" [also "word, speech, reckoning"]) is a cognitive process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject (the analog, or source) to another (the target), or a linguistic expression corresponding to such a process. In a narrower sense, analogy is an inference or an argument from one particular to another particular, as opposed to deduction, induction, and abduction, in which at least one of the premises, or the conclusion, is general rather than particular in nature.

A literary technique to describe something by comparing it with something else.

A comparison between one thing and another, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification

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 similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar

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 comparison based on such similarity

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

(Biology) Correspondence in function or position between organs of dissimilar evolutionary origin or structure.

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.

A form of reasoning based on the assumption that if two things are known to be alike in some respects, then they are probably alike in other respects.

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

(Linguistics) The process by which words or morphemes are re-formed or created on the model of existing grammatical patterns in a language, often leading to greater regularity in paradigms, as evidenced by helped replacing holp and holpen as the past tense and past participle of help on the model of verbs such as yelp, yelped, yelped.

A relationship of resemblance or equivalence between two situations, people, or objects, especially when used as a basis for explanation or extrapolation.

(geometry) The proportion or the equality of ratios.

(grammar) The correspondence of a word or phrase with the genius of a language, as learned from the manner in which its words and phrases are ordinarily formed; similarity of derivative or inflectional processes.

A resemblance of relations; an agreement or likeness between things in some circumstances or effects, when the things are otherwise entirely different. Thus, learning enlightens the mind, because it is to the mind what light is to the eye, enabling it to discover things before hidden.

A relation or correspondence in function, between organs or parts which are decidedly different.

Proportion; equality of ratios.

Conformity of words to the genius, structure, or general rules of a language; similarity of origin, inflection, or principle of pronunciation, and the like, as opposed to anomaly.

An inference that if things agree in some respects they probably agree in others

Drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect;

The religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greater; language can point in the right direction but any analogy between God and humans will always be inadequate

A form of reasoning in which one thing is inferred to be similar to another in a certain aspect.

It's less common but can be used to describe the act of holding or keeping employees, customers, etc.

Retention in business refers to the ability of a company to retain its employees or customers over time.

Retainment is often used informally to describe the act of keeping something.

Yes, retention can refer to the ability to recall or remember information.

Retainment is often considered less formal and is not as widely used as "retention."

Yes, retention can refer to the ability of a material to hold a liquid without leaking.

Not always, as "retention" is broadly accepted and used in various contexts, while "retainment" is not.

It is not common and is typically replaced by more formal or traditional terms.

Yes, retention can refer to the practice of having a student repeat a grade level.

It is less common and “retention” (e.g., urinary retention) is often used instead.

Rarely, as "retention" is typically the preferred term.

Yes, it can refer to a place where something is kept or retained.

Data retention refers to the policies governing data storage duration and management.

It’s atypical, as “retaining attention” is more commonly used.

A retention basin is an area where water is stored or managed to prevent flooding.