Jealousy is a feeling most people know. It happens when someone wants what another person has. This might be a toy, a game, or even someone’s attention. Jealousy can feel like a mix of sadness and anger. Writers often use similes to talk about jealousy in a fun or creative way.
A simile is a phrase that compares two things using the words “like” or “as.” These comparisons help show how strong a feeling is or what it looks like. In this lesson, you’ll read similes that help explain jealousy better. You’ll also see how to use them in everyday life. Ready to learn some new ways to talk about this feeling? Let’s begin.
Similes for Jealousy
1. As green as a frog
Meaning: Very jealous
Within a Sentence: She was as green as a frog when her friend got a new bike. / He looked as green as a frog at the party.
In Other Words: She was very jealous. / He felt left out.
2. Like a cat watching a bird
Meaning: Watching closely out of envy
Within a Sentence: He stared like a cat watching a bird when his brother got a new game. / She looked like a cat watching a bird when her friend was praised.
In Other Words: He was jealous and staring. / She didn’t like not being noticed.
3. As sour as lemon juice
Meaning: Feeling jealous and unhappy
Within a Sentence: Her smile turned as sour as lemon juice when her sister won the prize. / He felt as sour as lemon juice during the spelling bee.
In Other Words: She wasn’t happy for her sister. / He wanted to win too.
4. Like steam from a kettle
Meaning: Jealous and trying to hide it
Within a Sentence: His face was like steam from a kettle when he saw the new puppy. / She looked like steam from a kettle when the teacher praised her classmate.
In Other Words: He was jealous but quiet. / She was boiling inside.
5. As cold as ice
Meaning: Acting cold because of jealousy
Within a Sentence: He was as cold as ice when his friend talked about her trip. / She stayed as cold as ice after hearing the news.
In Other Words: He didn’t want to talk. / She was quiet and jealous.
6. Like a dog without a bone
Meaning: Wanting something someone else has
Within a Sentence: He looked like a dog without a bone when his friend got a new video game. / She acted like a dog without a bone at the birthday party.
In Other Words: He really wanted what his friend had. / She felt left out.
7. As sharp as a thorn
Meaning: Jealous and ready to snap
Within a Sentence: His words were as sharp as a thorn when he saw his classmate win. / She was as sharp as a thorn during lunch.
In Other Words: He acted mean because he was jealous. / She wasn’t kind.
8. Like a shadow in the sun
Meaning: Feeling small or ignored
Within a Sentence: She felt like a shadow in the sun when her best friend played with someone else. / He was like a shadow in the sun at recess.
In Other Words: She felt left out. / He wasn’t noticed.
9. As restless as a squirrel
Meaning: Feeling jumpy and jealous
Within a Sentence: He was as restless as a squirrel when he saw his cousin open presents. / She sat as restless as a squirrel at the award show.
In Other Words: He wanted something too. / She was nervous and jealous.
10. Like a cloud covering the sun
Meaning: Bringing down the mood because of jealousy
Within a Sentence: His face was like a cloud covering the sun when he didn’t get picked. / She felt like a cloud covering the sun at the talent show.
In Other Words: He changed the happy feeling. / She made things less fun.
11. As green as grass in spring
Meaning: Very obviously jealous
Within a Sentence: She turned as green as grass in spring when her friend got the part in the play. / He was as green as grass in spring when he lost.
In Other Words: Her jealousy showed. / He couldn’t hide it.
12. Like a fish out of water
Meaning: Feeling left out or jealous
Within a Sentence: He felt like a fish out of water when everyone else got invited. / She was like a fish out of water during group time.
In Other Words: He didn’t belong. / She felt awkward and jealous.
13. As loud as a fire alarm
Meaning: Showing jealousy with loud words
Within a Sentence: She was as loud as a fire alarm when she didn’t get a turn. / He got as loud as a fire alarm after hearing about the trip.
In Other Words: She shouted out of jealousy. / He was upset and loud.
14. Like a balloon ready to pop
Meaning: Trying to hide jealousy but about to burst
Within a Sentence: He looked like a balloon ready to pop when she got the new phone. / She sat like a balloon ready to pop during the surprise party.
In Other Words: He couldn’t hold it in. / She was barely staying calm.
15. As stiff as a board
Meaning: Feeling tense and jealous
Within a Sentence: She stood as stiff as a board when her friend got the medal. / He was as stiff as a board during the show.
In Other Words: She felt frozen with jealousy. / He couldn’t relax.
16. Like a bee stuck in a jar
Meaning: Buzzing with jealous energy
Within a Sentence: He was like a bee stuck in a jar when he saw her trophy. / She buzzed like a bee in a jar at the class party.
In Other Words: He was bothered and jealous. / She couldn’t sit still.
17. As quiet as a closed book
Meaning: Not talking because of jealousy
Within a Sentence: She stayed as quiet as a closed book when her friend shared good news. / He was as quiet as a closed book during snack time.
In Other Words: She didn’t say anything. / He was jealous but silent.
18. Like a bird with clipped wings
Meaning: Feeling held back by jealousy
Within a Sentence: He felt like a bird with clipped wings when he didn’t win. / She was like a bird with clipped wings during the game.
In Other Words: He felt stuck. / She didn’t feel free.
19. As hot as the sun in July
Meaning: Jealous and mad
Within a Sentence: He got as hot as the sun in July when his cousin got more gifts. / She looked as hot as the sun when she wasn’t picked.
In Other Words: He was boiling with jealousy. / She was very upset.
20. Like a wolf outside the door
Meaning: Wanting to be part of something badly
Within a Sentence: She was like a wolf outside the door during the club meeting. / He felt like a wolf outside the door when they left him out.
In Other Words: She wanted to join. / He felt jealous and left out.
21. As grumpy as a bear woken early
Meaning: Jealous and showing it through moodiness
Within a Sentence: He was as grumpy as a bear woken early when she got all the attention. / She acted like a grumpy bear during the group photo.
In Other Words: He was moody. / She didn’t like not being the star.
22. Like popcorn in a hot pan
Meaning: Full of jealous energy, can’t stay calm
Within a Sentence: He was like popcorn in a hot pan after seeing his sister’s gift. / She bounced like popcorn when she wasn’t picked.
In Other Words: He couldn’t sit still. / She was jumpy with jealousy.
23. As pale as paper
Meaning: Shocked and jealous
Within a Sentence: She turned as pale as paper when her friend won. / He was as pale as paper at the awards.
In Other Words: She looked surprised and jealous. / He couldn’t hide it.
24. Like a snowman in the sun
Meaning: Slowly melting from jealousy
Within a Sentence: His smile melted like a snowman in the sun when he saw the prize. / She felt like a snowman in the sun after hearing the news.
In Other Words: His joy faded. / She got sad from jealousy.
25. As dry as toast
Meaning: Showing no excitement because of jealousy
Within a Sentence: She clapped as dry as toast when her friend was praised. / He gave a dry toast-like smile during the party.
In Other Words: She didn’t feel happy. / He pretended to be glad.
26. Like thunder behind the clouds
Meaning: Quiet but jealous inside
Within a Sentence: He was like thunder behind the clouds when his brother won. / Her words were like thunder hiding.
In Other Words: He didn’t show it, but he was mad. / She kept her jealousy quiet.
27. As bitter as old coffee
Meaning: Jealous and acting unpleasant
Within a Sentence: Her words were as bitter as old coffee. / He sounded like bitter coffee after losing.
In Other Words: She wasn’t nice. / He was jealous and rude.
28. Like a mirror with a crack
Meaning: Trying to smile, but jealousy showed
Within a Sentence: She smiled like a mirror with a crack when he got the prize. / His grin looked like a cracked mirror.
In Other Words: She tried but failed to hide her jealousy. / It showed in his face.
29. As heavy as a backpack full of books
Meaning: Feeling weighed down by jealousy
Within a Sentence: He was as heavy as a backpack of books when he didn’t get picked. / She walked like she had a heavy backpack after the show.
In Other Words: He felt down. / Jealousy made her tired.
30. Like a curtain hiding light
Meaning: Jealousy covering their joy
Within a Sentence: Her mood was like a curtain hiding light. / He was like a dark curtain at the celebration.
In Other Words: Jealousy took away her happiness. / He couldn’t be cheerful.
31. As quiet as a frozen lake
Meaning: Still and silent from jealousy
Within a Sentence: He was as quiet as a frozen lake after seeing the results. / She stayed like a frozen lake when she lost.
In Other Words: He froze with jealousy. / She didn’t speak.
32. Like an unopened present
Meaning: Holding in feelings of jealousy
Within a Sentence: Her face was like an unopened present. / He looked like a wrapped gift, keeping it all inside.
In Other Words: She didn’t show her feelings. / He kept his jealousy hidden.
33. As hot as chili peppers
Meaning: Jealous and fiery
Within a Sentence: He was as hot as chili peppers when the teacher picked someone else. / She felt like chili peppers inside.
In Other Words: He was mad and jealous. / She felt angry.
34. Like shoes that don’t fit
Meaning: Feeling out of place because of jealousy
Within a Sentence: She felt like shoes that don’t fit at the concert. / He acted like tight shoes during the celebration.
In Other Words: She didn’t feel right. / He didn’t belong.
35. As shaky as Jello
Meaning: Nervous from jealousy
Within a Sentence: He was as shaky as Jello before the winners were called. / She sat like Jello during the prize time.
In Other Words: He was nervous. / She was scared someone else would win.
36. Like a phone with no battery
Meaning: Emotionally drained from jealousy
Within a Sentence: She was like a phone with no battery after the contest. / He looked like a dead phone all day.
In Other Words: She had no energy left. / He was tired from jealousy.
37. As stuck as gum under a shoe
Meaning: Can’t get rid of jealous thoughts
Within a Sentence: His jealous feeling was as stuck as gum. / She was like gum on a shoe all day.
In Other Words: He couldn’t stop thinking about it. / She couldn’t shake it off.
38. Like a quiet storm
Meaning: Calm outside, but jealous inside
Within a Sentence: She was like a quiet storm during the party. / His smile was a quiet storm in disguise.
In Other Words: She was calm but jealous. / He looked fine but wasn’t.
39. As plain as day
Meaning: Jealousy that’s easy to see
Within a Sentence: His jealousy was as plain as day. / She was clearly jealous.
In Other Words: It was obvious. / Everyone could tell.
40. Like a glove on the wrong hand
Meaning: Jealous and uncomfortable
Within a Sentence: She felt like a glove on the wrong hand at lunch. / He acted like a glove that didn’t fit.
In Other Words: She didn’t feel good. / He was uncomfortable.
41. As stiff as old bread
Meaning: Jealous and not relaxed
Within a Sentence: He was as stiff as old bread after hearing the news. / She looked stiff and jealous.
In Other Words: He couldn’t relax. / She was frozen with feeling.
42. Like a toy left out in the rain
Meaning: Feeling unwanted or left out
Within a Sentence: She looked like a toy in the rain when the others were picked. / He felt like a wet toy at recess.
In Other Words: She felt sad and jealous. / He was left out.
43. As messy as spilled paint
Meaning: Jealousy causing mixed emotions
Within a Sentence: His thoughts were as messy as spilled paint. / Her feelings spilled like messy paint.
In Other Words: He didn’t know what to feel. / She was all over the place.
44. Like socks that don’t match
Meaning: Feeling out of place due to jealousy
Within a Sentence: She was like mismatched socks at the talent show. / He felt like the odd sock.
In Other Words: She didn’t feel like she fit in. / He was left out.
45. As cold as leftover pizza
Meaning: Jealous and acting unfriendly
Within a Sentence: She was as cold as leftover pizza when she wasn’t chosen. / He gave a cold pizza stare.
In Other Words: She was not friendly. / He was jealous and distant.
46. Like an old balloon
Meaning: Feeling deflated by jealousy
Within a Sentence: He looked like an old balloon after losing. / She felt like a balloon with no air.
In Other Words: He was down. / She had no joy left.
47. As silent as a sleeping cat
Meaning: Quiet and jealous
Within a Sentence: She was as silent as a sleeping cat after seeing the gifts. / He stayed as still as a napping cat.
In Other Words: She didn’t speak. / He was hiding his jealousy.
48. Like crayons without color
Meaning: Losing joy because of jealousy
Within a Sentence: His day felt like crayons with no color. / She was like a colorless crayons at the party.
In Other Words: He wasn’t excited. / She felt dull.
49. As moody as a stormy day
Meaning: Jealous and having a bad attitude
Within a Sentence: She was as moody as a stormy day when her cousin got the gift. / He acted stormy during the game.
In Other Words: She was upset. / He was full of jealousy.
50. Like melted ice cream
Meaning: Feeling sad and droopy from jealousy
Within a Sentence: She was like melted ice cream after her sister got picked. / He looked like a dropped ice cream cone.
In Other Words: She was sad. / He felt down.
51. As shaky as leaves in the wind
Meaning: Nervous and jealous
Within a Sentence: He was as shaky as leaves when the winner was called. / She sat like shaky leaves at lunch.
In Other Words: He was uneasy. / She felt unsure.
52. Like a balloon floating away
Meaning: Losing hope because of jealousy
Within a Sentence: She felt like a balloon drifting away. / He floated like a balloon after hearing the news.
In Other Words: She felt lost. / He gave up.
53. As small as an ant
Meaning: Feeling tiny or not important
Within a Sentence: He felt as small as an ant when no one clapped for him. / She was like a tiny ant at the table.
In Other Words: He didn’t feel special. / She felt jealous.
54. Like a puzzle with a missing piece
Meaning: Something feels wrong
Within a Sentence: Her day felt like a puzzle with a piece missing. / He was the puzzle without a piece at recess.
In Other Words: She knew something was off. / He felt left out.
55. As heavy as a rock
Meaning: Carrying jealous feelings
Within a Sentence: His chest felt as heavy as a rock. / She carried her jealousy like a rock.
In Other Words: He was holding it in. / She couldn’t let it go.
56. Like a car stuck in traffic
Meaning: Can’t move forward because of jealousy
Within a Sentence: He was like a car stuck in traffic. / She sat like traffic during class.
In Other Words: He was stuck in his thoughts. / She couldn’t enjoy.
57. As slow as syrup
Meaning: Moving slowly from jealousy
Within a Sentence: She moved as slow as syrup after hearing the news. / He walked slowly like thick syrup.
In Other Words: She didn’t want to be there. / He was sad.
58. Like a light flickering out
Meaning: Losing excitement
Within a Sentence: Her joy flickered like a light going out. / He was like a dim lamp at the party.
In Other Words: She wasn’t bright anymore. / He lost interest.
59. As rough as sandpaper
Meaning: Jealous and acting harshly
Within a Sentence: His voice was as rough as sandpaper. / She spoke like sandpaper after hearing about the gift.
In Other Words: He wasn’t kind. / She was upset.
60. Like spilled milk
Meaning: Jealousy makes you feel like you lost something
Within a Sentence: He felt like spilled milk after not winning. / Her mood spilled like milk at snack time.
In Other Words: He was upset. / She felt sad and jealous.
Similes for Jealousy – True/False Quiz
Read each statement and decide if it’s True or False.
- Saying “He was as green as a frog” means he was very jealous.
- “She felt like a bird with clipped wings” means she felt free and happy.
- “His face was like steam from a kettle” shows he was calm and relaxed.
- “Like a cat watching a bird” shows someone is watching closely because of jealousy.
- “She was as sweet as candy” means she was jealous.
- “He felt like a dog without a bone” means he wanted something someone else had.
- “Her mood was like a cloud covering the sun” means she was full of joy.
- “He looked like an old balloon” means he felt down and jealous.
- “Like popcorn in a hot pan” means someone is jealous but sitting quietly.
- “She felt as small as an ant” means she felt important and proud.
- “His smile was like a mirror with a crack” means he was truly happy.
- “She moved as slowly as syrup” shows she was sad or jealous.
- “He was like a shadow in the sun” means he stood out brightly.
- “Like a wolf outside the door” shows someone who wants to be part of something but feels left out.
- “She felt like spilled milk” means she was happy about what happened.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- 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 are a fun way to describe feelings like jealousy. They help show what a person feels without saying it directly. Phrases like “as green as a frog” or “like a dog without a bone” give us a clear picture of someone who feels left out or upset.
When you use similes in your writing or speaking, you make your words more interesting. They help others understand your feelings better. Try using one of these next time you feel jealous; it’s a great way to express yourself. Keep learning and practicing new ones every day.
