Depending on what resource you use, there can be as many as 21 different forms of figurative language! I have listed the ten most common types of figurative language and links to others should you need more information.

Simile: A simile is a comparison using the words like or as. A simile compares to unlike or dissimilar things. Example: Her eyes shimmer like diamonds.

Metaphor: Often confused with a simile, a metaphor compares two, unlike things. Metaphors do not use the word like or as to make the comparison. Example: Laughter is the best medicine.

Personification: Personification is when human characteristics, traits, or qualities are used to describe inanimate or non-human objects. Example: The trees whispered a message in the wind.

Hyperbole: A hyperbole is language that intentionally exaggerates something. Typically hyperbole is a figurative language feature in folk tales. Example: It was raining buckets of water.

Imagery: Figurative language using imagery appeals to a person’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, or sound). Imagery creates mental pictures in the minds of readers and relates to the experience of the reader. Example: The cave was poorly lit, and the walls of the cave damp to the touch.

Symbolism: Symbolism uses something to represent or stand for something else. Symbolism provides meaning different from the literal interpretation. Example: The Bald Eagle symbolizes freedom to Americans, and the dove represents peace.

Onomatopoeia: Try to say that word real fast! Onomatopoeia is a figurative language that uses words that imitate the real sound of something. Example: The bees buzzing increased as he got nearer to their nest.

Idiom: An idiom is an expression. Idioms are phrases that mean something other than the literal meaning. Example: Don’t beat around the bush! Say what you mean.

Alliteration: Alliteration is repeating the initial consonant sound in a sentence. Tongue twisters are often written using alliteration. Dr. Seuss is another excellent source. Example: How much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck chucks wood all day?

Oxymoron: An oxymoron occurs when terms are used that appear to contradict one another. Example: She ordered jumbo shrimp from the menu. He needed an original copy of the document.

What are examples of figurative language?

  Example:  The trees swayed and danced in the wind.

  Example:  The jingle, jangle, jingle of the sleigh bells echoed in the night.

  Example:  The sun was a red ball on the horizon.

4. Onomatopoeia—words that resemble sounds

  Example:  ‘Crash’ or ‘hiss’ 

5.Simile– a comparison using like or as

  Example:  The sun set on the horizon like a big red ball.

6.   Idiom—an expression whose meaning is not related to the actual words in the phrase

  Example:  “Kick the bucket” or “dropping the ball”

7.  Hyperbole--an extreme exaggeration

  Example:  That cupcake was so good, I could eat a million of them.

What are three types of figurative language with examples?

Given that many people are familiar with the most common types of figurative language (similes, metaphors,and personification), this answer will identify, define, and provide examples for less commonly used figurative devices.

1. Anagram: An anagram is where the writer takes a word and jumbles up the letters of the original word to create a new word. An example of this is seen in Stephen King's novel The Shining. In the novel, Danny (the son of the protagonist Jack Torrance) repeatedly states "redrum." The anagram for "redrum" is "murder." This has also been popularized by Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.

2. Aposiopesis: An aposiopesis is when a thought is left uncompleted because of a sudden breaking off. What this means is that a piece of dialogue, or a speaker's private thought, is stopped given something unexpected, shocking, or thought provoking is happening. An example of an aposiopesis is found in L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz:

"Well, I lay if I get hold of you I'll - "

She did not finish, for by this time she was bending down and punching under the bed with the broom, and so she needed breath to punctuate the punches with.

3. Kenning: A kenning, popularized in Old English epics, is the use of metaphorical phrases to elevate and make the language more beautiful for the listener/reader. Kennings were not only used in Old English (for example in Beowulf: battle sweat= blood), they have become prominent in today's culture as well. For example, modern kennings are: tramp stamp (a lower back tattoo), gas guzzler (a car that does not have good gas consumption), and rug rat (a small child).

The simplest way to define figurative language is to say that figurative language is the opposite of literal or concrete language. Often times, with figurative language you are comparing to things. It is synonymous with metaphorical language. Let me give you a number of examples of figurative language.

• Simile - "You are strong as an ox, but you are gentle as a dove." Similes compare two things. Obviously it is not to be taken literally.
• Personification - "Money calls out to people and many hear its voice and follow. They become slaves to this cruel and merciless master." Money is given human like qualities, namely to call out to people.
• Hyperbole - "I am so hungry that I can eat a whole cow." The exaggeration is to show that a person is very hungry.

All of the above are examples of figurative language. There are many more, as you can imagine.