Exaggerated
/ɪɡˈzædʒəˌreɪtɪd/
adjectiveverbB2past tense, past participle
Definition
Exaggerated means showing or saying something in a way that is more extreme than reality. When someone exaggerates, they make things sound bigger, better, or worse than they really are. This can be done to get attention, make a story more interesting, or express strong feelings.
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See It in Action
Made to seem larger, better, worse, or more extreme than reality
- •His story about the storm was exaggerated to make it more exciting.
- •She gave an exaggerated smile to show she was very happy.
- •The actor’s gestures were exaggerated for the audience to see clearly.
Past tense or past participle of the verb "exaggerate" (to make something seem bigger or more important)
- •He exaggerated the results to impress his boss.
- •They exaggerated their problems during the meeting.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "exaggerated" like "big," but much bigger than normal—like a small fish told as a giant fish story
- ✓Picture someone telling a story with their hands making a very large shape, much bigger than the real thing
- ✓It's the feeling when you say "I waited forever" but really you waited only a few minutes
- ✓Sounds like "ex-AG-ger-ated" → imagine someone pulling a rubber band too far, stretching the truth like the band stretches
- ✓Remember cartoons where characters have huge eyes or big reactions—this is exaggeration to make things funny or clear
- ✓NOT like "true" or "real" — exaggerated things are not exactly how they are in real life
- ✓NOT like "understated" (making something seem smaller), exaggerated is the opposite—making things bigger or stronger
- ✓NOT like "normal" description—exaggerated adds extra size, emotion, or importance beyond fact
Try Other Words
- •Overstated: said or shown too strongly (Use when you want to sound more formal or serious)
- •Magnified: made to look larger or more important (Use when talking about size or importance being increased)
- •Inflated: made to seem larger or more important than real (Use when something is made bigger in value or meaning)
- •Amplified: made louder or stronger (Use when talking about sound or feelings made stronger)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "ex-" (out, beyond) + root "agger" from Latin "aggerare" meaning to heap up or increase + suffix "-ated" (forms adjective or past verb)
- •Etymology: From Latin "exaggerare," meaning to heap up or increase beyond the truth
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe making something seem larger or more important than it really is
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe speech, stories, feelings, or actions that are overstated or stretched beyond fact
Reflect & Connect
•When might exaggerating help in communication, and when might it cause problems?
•How can you tell if someone’s story or feelings are exaggerated or true?
Fill in the blanks
1.He exaggerated the size of the fish to ___ the story and make it more interesting.
2.When she gave an exaggerated smile, it showed she was trying to ___ her happiness.
3.Unlike a simple description, exaggerated actions often ___ emotions or reactions.
4.In cartoons, characters often have exaggerated movements ___ to make the story funnier.
5.You can tell a statement is exaggerated if it sounds too ___ or unbelievable.
6.People sometimes exaggerate their problems to get more ___ or attention.
7.If something is exaggerated, it usually means it is not completely ___ to real life.