exaggeration

Everyday

1. An exaggeration is a statement that makes something seem bigger, better or worse than it really is. tree →
2. Exaggeration is the habit or act of exaggerating. tree →

In the lessons

In school English, exaggeration (also called hyperbole) is a figure of speech used for humour or effect: «I'm so hungry I could eat a horse». In everyday life it can be fun, but in reports and science it misleads. Phrases: «a slight exaggeration», «it's no exaggeration to say», «a gross exaggeration».

Examples

• «I've walked a thousand miles today» is an exaggeration. tree →
• It's no exaggeration to say she is the fastest runner in school. tree →
• Tall tales are full of exaggeration. tree →
• Saying everyone has one is an exaggeration. tree →
• That's a bit of an exaggeration; it was only five minutes. tree →
• The advert used exaggeration to sell the shoes. tree →
• Find the exaggeration in this poem. tree →

Note

Spelling: double «g», one «r». Countable (an exaggeration) or uncountable (full of exaggeration). The literary term is «hyperbole». Words like «always», «never», «everyone» and «millions» often signal exaggeration.