epic simile: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2)Formal, Academic, Literary Analysis
Quick answer
What does “epic simile” mean?
A long, elaborate, detailed simile that extends over several lines, typically used in epic poetry to amplify a moment or create a decorative digression.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long, elaborate, detailed simile that extends over several lines, typically used in epic poetry to amplify a moment or create a decorative digression.
Any unusually long, detailed, and often digressive comparison in literature, beyond simple simile, used to heighten importance, provide spectacle, or display poetic virtuosity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. Both use the term identically within academic/literary contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes high-level literary analysis, classical education, and technical precision in describing poetic devices.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, confined almost exclusively to university-level literature courses and scholarly works.
Grammar
How to Use “epic simile” in a Sentence
The poet employs an epic simile to describe [NOUN PHRASE].The passage features a Homeric epic simile comparing [NOUN PHRASE] to [NOUN PHRASE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “epic simile” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The epic-simile structure is a hallmark of Miltonic style.
American English
- The epic-simile technique was adapted by later Romantic poets.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Core term in literary studies, especially in analysis of epic poetry from Homer to Milton.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Term of art in literary criticism and poetics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “epic simile”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “epic simile”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “epic simile”
- Using 'epic simile' to describe any impressive or cool simile in modern writing (incorrect).
- Confusing it with a 'conceit' (a more complex, intellectual extended metaphor).
- Spelling 'simile' as 'similie'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An epic simile is a type of simile, meaning it uses 'like' or 'as' to make an explicit comparison, but it is exceptionally long and detailed. A metaphor is an implicit comparison stating one thing *is* another.
It is very rare. The device is strongly associated with the formal conventions of classical and Renaissance epic poetry. Modern authors may use extended similes, but they are not typically classified as 'epic similes' in the technical sense.
Homer in the 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' is the originator. Virgil in the 'Aeneid' and John Milton in 'Paradise Lost' are other quintessential examples.
To create emphasis, grandeur, and spectacle; to slow down the narrative for dramatic effect; to showcase poetic skill; and to connect human actions to the larger natural or divine world.
A long, elaborate, detailed simile that extends over several lines, typically used in epic poetry to amplify a moment or create a decorative digression.
Epic simile is usually formal, academic, literary analysis in register.
Epic simile: in British English it is pronounced /ˌepɪk ˈsɪmɪli/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌepɪk ˈsɪməli/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EPIC poem = EPIC length SIMILE. Just as an epic is long and grand, an epic simile is a long, grand comparison.
Conceptual Metaphor
LITERARY ANALYSIS IS DISSECTION; POETIC DEVICE IS A TOOL
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of an epic simile?