Homelessness is when a person does not have a safe place to live. They might sleep outside, in a car, or at a shelter. It can be a very hard and sad experience. Writers often use similes to talk about homelessness in a way that helps others picture it. A simile is when you compare two things using the words “like” or “as.”
These similes are not just fancy words. They help us understand how someone without a home might feel. For example, instead of saying “He was lonely,” someone might write, “He was as alone as a leaf in the wind.” These kinds of word pictures help people care and think more deeply. In this article, we will look at many similes that show what homelessness feels like.
Similes for Homelessness
1. As lost as a sock in the laundry
Meaning: Feeling alone and forgotten.
Within a Sentence: He felt as lost as a sock in the laundry after his parents moved away. / She wandered the park like a lost sock.
In Other Words: He felt alone. / She didn’t know where to go.
2. Like a leaf in the wind
Meaning: Having no control or direction.
Within a Sentence: He moved from place to place like a leaf in the wind. / She felt like a leaf in the wind after losing her home.
In Other Words: He had no place to stay. / She felt unsure and scared.
3. As cold as a stone
Meaning: Feeling both physically and emotionally cold.
Within a Sentence: His hands were as cold as stone. / Sleeping outside made her feel as cold as a stone.
In Other Words: He felt frozen. / She was cold and sad.
4. Like a stray dog
Meaning: Without a home or care.
Within a Sentence: He wandered the streets like a stray dog. / She looked like a stray dog, hungry and alone.
In Other Words: He had no home. / She seemed forgotten.
5. As empty as a grocery shelf
Meaning: Feeling hollow or without support.
Within a Sentence: Her stomach was as empty as a grocery shelf. / He felt as empty as a shelf no one fills.
In Other Words: She was hungry. / He felt left out.
6. Like a puzzle piece that doesn’t fit
Meaning: Not feeling like you belong.
Within a Sentence: He felt like a puzzle piece that didn’t fit in any home. / She stood in the crowd like a piece that didn’t belong.
In Other Words: He didn’t feel welcome. / She didn’t fit in.
7. As quiet as a forgotten room
Meaning: Feeling ignored or unseen.
Within a Sentence: He sat as quiet as a forgotten room. / Her voice was as quiet as a room no one uses.
In Other Words: He was unnoticed. / She was silent and alone.
8. Like a book with no cover
Meaning: Missing care or protection.
Within a Sentence: Life without shelter felt like a book with no cover. / He was like a book without a cover easy to ignore.
In Other Words: He had no safety. / She felt left out.
9. As hungry as a bear in winter
Meaning: Extremely hungry.
Within a Sentence: He was as hungry as a bear in winter. / She hadn’t eaten all day and felt as hungry as a bear.
In Other Words: He needed food badly. / She had an empty stomach.
10. Like shoes with no soles
Meaning: Worn out and tired.
Within a Sentence: Her life felt like shoes with no soles, hard and painful. / He walked like shoes with no bottoms.
In Other Words: She was exhausted. / Life felt rough for him.
11. As invisible as air
Meaning: Feeling unseen or ignored.
Within a Sentence: People walked past him as if he were as invisible as air. / She felt invisible as air when asking for help.
In Other Words: No one noticed him. / She felt unseen.
12. Like a broken umbrella in a storm
Meaning: Unable to protect oneself.
Within a Sentence: He was like a broken umbrella in a storm no cover from trouble. / She faced the cold like a torn umbrella.
In Other Words: He had no defense. / She was helpless.
13. As lonely as the last kid picked
Meaning: Feeling left out.
Within a Sentence: She felt as lonely as the last kid picked in a game. / He stood there, forgotten, like the last kid chosen.
In Other Words: She felt unwanted. / He felt alone.
14. Like a kite without a string
Meaning: Out of control and ungrounded.
Within a Sentence: He was like a kite without a string, floating with no place to land. / Her life felt loose, like a kite in the wind.
In Other Words: He had no direction. / She felt lost.
15. As tired as an old shoe
Meaning: Very worn out.
Within a Sentence: He was as tired as an old shoe. / She felt like an old shoe used and forgotten.
In Other Words: He needed rest. / She felt drained.
16. Like a candle in the wind
Meaning: Weak or easy to harm.
Within a Sentence: He stood like a candle in the wind, almost giving up. / Her hope was like a tiny flame.
In Other Words: He was barely holding on. / Her spirit was fading.
17. As lost as a tourist with no map
Meaning: Unsure of what to do.
Within a Sentence: He was as lost as a tourist with no map. / She had no clue where to turn.
In Other Words: He needed help. / She didn’t know where to go.
18. Like a balloon drifting away
Meaning: Feeling far from safety.
Within a Sentence: Her dreams floated like a balloon drifting away. / He watched hope disappear like a balloon in the sky.
In Other Words: She felt distant. / He was losing faith.
19. As cold as a snowman at night
Meaning: Very cold and alone.
Within a Sentence: He felt as cold as a snowman at night. / She had no blanket and was cold like a statue.
In Other Words: He was freezing. / She was uncomfortable.
20. Like a phone with no signal
Meaning: Unable to connect or reach out.
Within a Sentence: She felt like a phone with no signal cut off. / No one answered, like having no bars on your phone.
In Other Words: She felt alone. / He was isolated.
21. As forgotten as old homework
Meaning: Ignored and left behind.
Within a Sentence: He felt as forgotten as old homework under the couch. / She waited like a paper no one remembered.
In Other Words: He was left out. / She felt unimportant.
22. Like an empty fridge
Meaning: Lacking what’s needed.
Within a Sentence: His heart felt like an empty fridge. / She opened her bag and it was like an empty fridge nothing inside.
In Other Words: He felt empty. / She had nothing.
23. As broken as a toy at the bottom of a bin
Meaning: Damaged and left behind.
Within a Sentence: He sat as broken as a toy no one wanted. / She felt tossed aside like an old toy.
In Other Words: He felt hurt. / She felt ignored.
24. Like a light with no switch
Meaning: Powerless.
Within a Sentence: She was like a light with no switch there, but not shining. / He wanted to shine, but had no power.
In Other Words: She couldn’t act. / He felt stuck.
25. As weak as a kitten in the rain
Meaning: Small, helpless.
Within a Sentence: He curled up like a kitten in the rain. / She felt as weak as a wet kitten.
In Other Words: He needed comfort. / She felt powerless.
26. Like a story with no ending
Meaning: Incomplete or uncertain.
Within a Sentence: His life felt like a story with no ending. / She waited for help, stuck in a story that didn’t move.
In Other Words: He didn’t know what was next. / She felt unsure.
27. As hungry as a classroom at lunch
Meaning: Very hungry.
Within a Sentence: He was as hungry as a whole classroom at lunchtime. / She felt her stomach rumble like a group waiting for lunch.
In Other Words: He needed food. / She was starving.
28. Like a page ripped from a book
Meaning: Taken out of place.
Within a Sentence: She was like a page ripped from a story, no place to belong. / He felt torn from his life.
In Other Words: She didn’t feel part of anything. / He was lost.
29. As quiet as a snow-covered street
Meaning: Silent, still.
Within a Sentence: He slept on the bench, as quiet as a snow-covered street. / Her world had no noise or joy.
In Other Words: He was silent. / She felt still.
30. Like a clock with no hands
Meaning: No way to tell time or direction.
Within a Sentence: Life felt like a clock with no hands; time just passed. / He couldn’t count the days anymore.
In Other Words: Time didn’t matter. / He felt stuck.
31. As shaky as a table with one leg
Meaning: Unstable and unsure.
Within a Sentence: He felt as shaky as a table with one leg. / Her life tipped like a table about to fall.
In Other Words: He wasn’t steady. / She felt unsafe.
32. Like a car with no gas
Meaning: Stuck, with no energy or means.
Within a Sentence: He sat like a car with no gas, nowhere to go. / She couldn’t move, like an empty tank.
In Other Words: He was out of energy. / She had nothing left.
33. As dry as a desert
Meaning: Lacking comfort or help.
Within a Sentence: Her life felt as dry as a desert, no joy, no care. / He looked for kindness but found a desert.
In Other Words: She needed love. / He felt empty.
34. Like a song with no melody
Meaning: Missing meaning or joy.
Within a Sentence: His days felt like a song with no melody. / Life played out, but with no tune.
In Other Words: It felt dull. / Nothing made sense.
35. As dark as a locked room
Meaning: Feeling trapped and alone.
Within a Sentence: The alley was as dark as a locked room. / Her feelings were hidden like a room with no light.
In Other Words: He felt trapped. / She had no way out.
36. Like a blanket with holes
Meaning: Unable to keep warm or feel safe.
Within a Sentence: The cold wind passed through like a blanket with holes. / His coat was like a blanket that didn’t help.
In Other Words: He couldn’t stay warm. / She needed shelter.
37. As quiet as a library at night
Meaning: Silent and still.
Within a Sentence: He sat under the stars, as quiet as a library at night. / Her corner was still like an empty library.
In Other Words: He made no sound. / She was silent.
38. Like a house with no roof
Meaning: Unprotected.
Within a Sentence: Living outside felt like a house with no roof. / She lay there, like a home missing its top.
In Other Words: She had no shelter. / He was unprotected.
39. As alone as a bench in winter
Meaning: Very lonely.
Within a Sentence: He felt as alone as a bench in winter cold and empty. / No one sat with her.
In Other Words: He was by himself. / She was left out.
40. Like a cloud with no rain
Meaning: Having nothing left to give.
Within a Sentence: He was like a cloud with no rain dry, spent. / Her eyes didn’t cry anymore, like a dry cloud.
In Other Words: He was tired. / She felt drained.
41. As out of place as ice cream in a backpack
Meaning: Feeling like you don’t belong.
Within a Sentence: She felt as out of place as ice cream in a backpack. / He didn’t fit in.
In Other Words: She wasn’t where she should be. / He felt wrong.
42. Like an empty lunchbox
Meaning: Missing something important.
Within a Sentence: His hopes were like an empty lunchbox nothing inside. / Her dreams felt gone.
In Other Words: He felt sad. / She had no help.
43. As quiet as a whisper in the wind
Meaning: Barely noticed or heard.
Within a Sentence: His voice was as quiet as a whisper in the wind. / She spoke, but no one listened.
In Other Words: He wasn’t heard. / She was ignored.
44. Like a fire with no spark
Meaning: No energy or hope.
Within a Sentence: His eyes looked like a fire with no spark. / She had no more drive.
In Other Words: He gave up. / She had no hope.
45. As still as a frozen lake
Meaning: Not moving, silent.
Within a Sentence: He stayed as still as a frozen lake. / Her world froze like a pond in winter.
In Other Words: He didn’t move. / She stopped caring.
46. Like a jacket two sizes too small
Meaning: Uncomfortable or out of place.
Within a Sentence: The shelter felt like a jacket too small tight and wrong. / He tried to fit in, but it didn’t work.
In Other Words: He didn’t belong. / She felt strange.
47. As scared as a cat in a thunderstorm
Meaning: Very frightened.
Within a Sentence: He shook like a cat in a thunderstorm. / She looked for a place to hide.
In Other Words: He was afraid. / She felt scared.
48. Like a day with no sun
Meaning: Sad and dark.
Within a Sentence: Life felt like a day with no sun. / Her smile faded like the sun never rose.
In Other Words: She was sad. / He felt low.
49. As forgotten as a toy under the couch
Meaning: Not remembered or cared for.
Within a Sentence: He was as forgotten as a toy under the couch. / No one seemed to notice.
In Other Words: He was overlooked. / She was forgotten.
50. Like a sandwich with no filling
Meaning: Lacking what’s needed.
Within a Sentence: Life felt like a sandwich with no filling missing the best part. / She needed something more.
In Other Words: He felt empty. / She wanted more.
51. As scared as a balloon near a cactus
Meaning: Always worried something bad will happen.
Within a Sentence: He was as scared as a balloon near a cactus. / One wrong move, and everything could pop.
In Other Words: He felt nervous. / She was afraid.
52. Like a clock stuck at midnight
Meaning: Feeling stuck in time.
Within a Sentence: Her days felt like a clock stuck at midnight never moving. / Time didn’t pass.
In Other Words: She was stuck. / Nothing changed.
53. As slow as a rainy Monday
Meaning: Time dragging slowly.
Within a Sentence: The nights were as slow as a rainy Monday. / Every minute felt heavy.
In Other Words: Time moved slowly. / It felt long.
54. Like socks with holes
Meaning: Worn out and not working right.
Within a Sentence: Life felt like socks with holes barely hanging on. / He couldn’t keep going.
In Other Words: He was tired. / Things didn’t feel right.
55. As empty as a school on summer break
Meaning: Lonely and silent.
Within a Sentence: Her shelter felt as empty as a school on summer break. / He missed the noise of family.
In Other Words: She felt alone. / He was quiet.
56. Like a picture missing its frame
Meaning: Incomplete.
Within a Sentence: He was like a picture missing its frame there, but not whole. / She wanted something to hold her life together.
In Other Words: He felt unfinished. / She lacked support.
57. As quiet as an unopened letter
Meaning: Having a story that no one hears.
Within a Sentence: His life was as quiet as an unopened letter. / She had stories, but no one asked.
In Other Words: He had things to say. / She wasn’t heard.
58. Like crayons with no paper
Meaning: No place to use your talents.
Within a Sentence: Her dreams felt like crayons with no paper. / He had ideas, but no space to use them.
In Other Words: She had skills. / He had no chance.
59. As lonely as a single sock
Meaning: Alone and without a match.
Within a Sentence: He was as lonely as a single sock. / She missed having someone close.
In Other Words: He had no one. / She was alone.
60. Like a door with no key
Meaning: Locked out of safety or comfort.
Within a Sentence: He stood outside like a door with no key. / She wished for something to open her life again.
In Other Words: He was left out. / She wanted a way in.
True/False Quiz: Similes for Homelessness
- “As lost as a sock in the laundry” means someone feels like they belong.
- “Like a leaf in the wind” shows someone has no control or direction.
- “As cold as a stone” means someone is warm and comfortable.
- “Like a stray dog” means someone has no home or care.
- “As empty as a grocery shelf” means something is full and safe.
- “Like a kite without a string” shows someone feels free and excited.
- “As tired as an old shoe” means someone feels fresh and energetic.
- “Like a candle in the wind” means someone feels strong and safe.
- “As hungry as a bear in winter” means someone has just finished eating.
- “Like a phone with no signal” means someone feels connected and supported.
- “As forgotten as old homework” shows someone feels ignored.
- “Like a house with no roof” shows someone is protected and dry.
- “As lonely as a bench in winter” means someone is having fun with friends.
- “Like a balloon drifting away” means someone is floating with joy.
- “As scared as a cat in a thunderstorm” shows someone is feeling calm and brave.
Answers
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- False
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Similes Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get similes, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about similes together!
Conclusion
Similes help us see and feel what others go through. When we talk about homelessness, using similes can make the feelings clearer and more real. A person without a home might feel like a leaf in the wind or as lonely as a bench in winter. These word pictures show how hard life can be without a safe place.
Learning these similes helps us understand others better. It also helps us write and speak in more caring ways. Keep thinking about how people feel and use words that show kindness and understanding.
