hyperbole

Everyday

Hyperbole is a huge exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally, used to make a point or be funny, like «I've told you a million times». tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, hyperbole is a figure of speech, along with simile and metaphor. Writers use it for humour, drama or strong feeling. In everyday speech it is everywhere: «I'm starving», «this bag weighs a ton». In adverts and politics, hyperbole can make things sound better than they are, so readers should check facts.

Examples

• «I'm so hungry I could eat a horse» is hyperbole. tree →
• «I've told you a million times» is an example of hyperbole. tree →
• The poet used hyperbole to show how much she loved him. tree →
• Find the hyperbole in the paragraph. tree →
• The advert's claim to be «the best in the universe» is hyperbole. tree →
• «This bag weighs a ton!» she said, using hyperbole. tree →

Note

Say «hy-PER-bo-lee», four syllables — not «hyper-bowl». Often uncountable; «a hyperbole» for one example. Adjective: hyperbolic. In maths, «hyperbola» is a different word: a type of curve.