Hyperbole
/haɪˈpɜːrbəli/
nounC1
Definition
Hyperbole is when a person uses very big or extreme words to describe something, not to be taken literally (exactly true), but to make an idea stronger or more interesting. It is often used in stories, jokes, or everyday talk to show strong feelings or to make something sound more important.
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See It in Action
A figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration for effect
- •She used hyperbole when she said, "I've told you a million times!"
- •His story was full of hyperbole to make it sound more exciting.
- •Saying "I'm dying of laughter" is a common hyperbole.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "hyperbole" like "exaggeration" (a simpler A2 word), but more focused on very strong, clear overstatements to make a point
- ✓Picture someone saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse"—this is not true but shows strong hunger
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to make your story more exciting or funny by saying things bigger than they really are
- ✓Sounds like "HIGH-per-bowl-ee" → imagine a bowl that is very, very high, much taller than normal, to remember exaggeration is making things bigger
- ✓Think of cartoon characters who say things like "This is the worst day ever!" to show strong emotion, not a real fact
- ✓NOT like "fact" (true information), hyperbole is not meant to be real but to make a point stronger
- ✓NOT like "lie" (to say something false to trick), hyperbole is playful and understood as not true, used for effect
- ✓NOT like "understatement" (making something sound smaller or less important), hyperbole is the opposite—it makes things seem bigger or more extreme
Try Other Words
- •Exaggeration: making something seem bigger or more important than it really is (Use when the statement is less artistic or less obvious)
- •Overstatement: saying something more strongly than is true (Use in formal writing or analysis)
- •Magnification: making something appear larger or more important (Use in scientific or technical contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "hyper-" (meaning "over," "too much") + "bole" (from Greek "ballein," meaning "to throw" or "to put")
- •Etymology: From Greek "hyperbolē," meaning "excess" or "exaggeration"
- •Historical development: Originally used in rhetoric (the art of speaking and writing) to describe deliberate exaggeration for effect
- •Modern usage: Common in everyday language, literature, advertising, and speech to make ideas more powerful or emotional
Reflect & Connect
•How does hyperbole help people express emotions in a stronger way than plain words?
•Can hyperbole sometimes cause misunderstandings? When is it important to recognize it?
Fill in the blanks
1.When someone uses hyperbole, they often say things that are ___ true but make their point stronger.
2.Saying "I'm so tired I could sleep for a year" is an example of hyperbole because it is not ___.
3.Unlike a simple fact, hyperbole is meant to create a strong ___ or feeling.
4.People use hyperbole in stories to make them more ___ or funny.
5.Hyperbole is NOT meant to ___ people but to add effect to speech or writing.
6.You often find hyperbole paired with words like "so," "very," or "absolutely" to make the exaggeration ___.
7.When someone says "I have a mountain of homework," they are using hyperbole to show the ___ of their work.