Actually, no. They have some differences.
figures of speech or figurative imagery
simile
A simile is a comparison of two objects using the words "like" or "as." For example: That soup was as salty as the ocean! Similes are like metaphors except that metaphors do not use like or as.
That is a simile becuase it uses as. Metaphors don't use "like" or "as".
Simile
A metaphor
People use metaphors to better describe how people act, look etc. It just helps with description eg. He is a pig. (He is unclean, messy and has bad table manners) Or you could use a simile eg. He is like a pig (The same as metaphors but a not quite as strong)
No. If a comparison uses like or as, it becomes a simile.
The mans hair is as white as snow is a simile.
Yes, it is a simile. Keep in mind that a simile is a metaphor, but not all metaphors are similes. A simile is a metaphor that uses the words like or as for the comparison.
Metaphor. Metaphors are straight comparisons, whereas Similes use a comparing word. Did that make sense?
Using comparisons in poems, which a simile does, provides better imagery and description to your poem. Metaphors and personification are effective as well.