What is the difference between metaphor and simile?

A metaphor is when you say one thing is another, while a simile is when you say one thing is like another, both help us understand new ideas using things we already know.

Imagine you're holding your favorite toy. If you say, "My toy is a dragon," that's a metaphor. You’re not saying it has wings or roars, but you're helping someone picture how strong or amazing your toy feels by comparing it to something cool and powerful, like a dragon.

Now imagine you're eating a big piece of cake. If you say, "My cake is like a cloud," that's a simile. You’re not saying the cake floats or is soft, but you're helping someone picture how fluffy and light your cake feels by comparing it to something soft and airy, like a cloud.

Both are tools for making ideas easier to understand, just in slightly different ways!