like a cloud

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like a cloud" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is soft, fluffy, or transient, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "Her thoughts drifted away like a cloud on a breezy day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Seems like a cloud about to burst.

The New York Times - Books

A very small shape, like a cloud.

The New Yorker

"It's biblical.... Like a cloud of locusts".

The New York Times - Books

It's almost like a cloud has lifted".

The New York Times - Health

Bad luck follows him like a cloud.

The Guardian - Film

He wears his darkness lightly, like a cloud.

The New Yorker

"It was like a cloud hanging over me," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

That fate hung over him like a cloud.

The New York Times - Arts

It would just hang in the air like a cloud.

The New Yorker

It's more of an ambient chandelier, like a cloud".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The GRP has carbuncle phenomena, likes a cloud hanging over exact Riemann solvers.

Journal of Computational Physics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like a cloud" to create vivid imagery, especially when describing something light, airy, or transient. For example, "Her hair floated around her head like a cloud."

Common error

While effective, overuse of "like a cloud" can make your writing seem predictable. Consider alternatives or more specific comparisons to keep your descriptions fresh.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like a cloud" functions primarily as a simile, drawing a comparison between two dissimilar things to create a vivid image or convey a particular quality. Ludwig examples show it describing lightness, transience, or softness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the simile "like a cloud" is a versatile and frequently used phrase for creating vivid comparisons, mainly focused on lightness, softness, or transience. Ludwig shows it is grammatically sound and widely accepted, fitting both formal and informal contexts, even if care should be taken in avoiding overuse. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and can enhance descriptive writing by providing familiar and evocative imagery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cloud-like

Simplifies the comparison by using a compound adjective.

resembling a cloud

Changes the structure to a participle phrase, emphasizing visual similarity.

like a wisp of cloud

Narrows the comparison to a small, thin cloud formation.

as light as a cloud

Focuses on the lightness aspect of clouds, altering the descriptive focus.

soft as a cloud

Emphasizes the tactile quality, shifting the sensory focus of the comparison.

floating gently like a cloud

Adds detail to the comparison by specifying the manner of movement.

billowing like a cloud

Highlights the movement aspect of a cloud.

ethereal

Implies a lightness and delicacy associated with clouds, removing the direct comparison.

as if floating on air

Shifts the comparison from a cloud to the sensation of floating.

like a dream

Uses a different metaphorical subject to convey a sense of lightness or transience.

FAQs

How can I use "like a cloud" in a sentence?

You can use "like a cloud" to describe something that appears soft, light, or transient. For example, "The smoke dissipated "like a cloud" in the breeze."

What are some synonyms for "like a cloud"?

Alternatives include "resembling a cloud", "as light as a cloud", or simply "ethereal" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "like a cloud"?

While grammatically correct, using "like a cloud" in a context where a more precise or unique comparison would be more effective could be considered a stylistic error.

What does it mean when someone says something is "like a cloud"?

It typically means that the subject is being compared to a cloud in terms of its appearance (soft, fluffy), movement (drifting, floating), or effect (light, transient).