Hyperbole | Definition, Examples & Meaning

A hyperbole (pronounced “hy-per-buh-lee”) is a literary device that uses extreme exaggeration to create strong emphasis or to indicate anger or humor.

Hyperbole definition

Hyperbole refers to an extreme use of exaggeration to make a point. You will find hyperbole used, among other things, to express anger (e.g., “He was incandescent with rage”), wonder (e.g., “I was walking on air”), and humor (e.g., “You could have knocked me down with a feather”).

Hyperbole can be a word (e.g., “The revelation floored me”), a phrase (e.g., “Aidan went on a shopping rampage with his winnings”), or a clause (e.g., “I was at a complete loss for words at the revelation”). It is common for hyperbole to use words like “everyone,” “always,” or “never” to make their point.

Hyperbole often forms part of other figurative language and is commonly found in similes (e.g., “He fought like a lion”) and metaphors (“e.g., “She was monumental in defense”).

Although they are never meant to be taken literally, authors will sometimes use a deliberate misunderstanding of a hyperbole for humorous effect (e.g., “You said that Samantha is like a cat in goal—did you mean she spends all the time sleeping or chasing balls of string?”).

Hyperbole is related to the mathematical term “hyperbolic” and comes from the same Greek root “hyperballein—throw beyond.” The Greek prefix “hyper-” carries with it the sense of excess (e.g., “hyperactive—excessively active,” “hyperthyroidism—overactive thyroid,” and “hypertension—excessive blood pressure”).

Why is hyperbole used?

Hyperbole is so common in everyday conversation as well as literature, film, television, and social media that it can be difficult to cover every reason for its use. However, some of the most common reasons include:

• Music: Songwriters use hyperbole to add weight and strength to their expressions. The listener is not meant to take these words from Bob Dylan’s “Idiot Wind” as literal truths, but they convey the pain and anger of a rejected lover powerfully: “Idiot wind / Blowing every time you move your teeth / You’re an idiot, babe / It’s a wonder that you still know how to breathe.”
• Literature: In Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, as Marlow tells Kurtz’s beloved the lie about his last words, he says, “It seemed to me that the house would collapse before I could escape, that the heavens would fall upon my head.” This is not a statement of Marlow’s genuine fear that his words could cause the physical collapse of a building or the heavens, but an attempt to communicate the gravity of what he had done.
• Rhetoric: Speeches, with all their rhetorical flourishes, are rich sources of hyperbole. Whether it is Barack Obama reminding his listeners that they are faced with the opportunity to “bend the arc of history” for the better of the nation, or in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech, where he proclaims, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight.” This is also an example of allusion, as it is a reference to Isaiah 40:4-5 in the Bible.
• Advertising: Another area where persuasion is key is the world of advertising. Whether it is Carlsberg’s claim to be “Probably the best lager in the world,” or Land Rover’s assertion that their cars are the “Best 4 x 4 x far” (with one television advert adding that, “Nothing, but nothing, gets in the way of a Land Rover).”

Hyperbole examples

Ernest Hemingway is perhaps best known for the apparent simplicity of his language, but that doesn’t exclude him from using hyperbole, as you can see in these examples from Chapter 15 of Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises.

Hyperbole is often found in the world of advertising, as it makes a specific product appear to be the best available.

Frequently asked questions about hyperbole

What is an example of hyperbole?

“I’ve told you a million times not to exaggerate!” is an example of hyperbole used for humorous effect. Hyperbole means excessive exaggeration, usually for dramatic or comic effect. It comes from the Greek words “hyper-” meaning “excessive” or “over” and “balleini” meaning “throw.”

Hyperbole can be used to express extreme emotion and is never meant to be taken literally. Some examples of hyperbole expressing extreme emotion include:

• “He was incandescent with rage.” [extreme anger]
• “We laughed until our sides split.” [extreme enjoyment]
• “They were walking on air.” [extreme joy]

You will also find examples of hyperbole in advertising:

• “The ultimate driving machine” [BMW]
• “Kills germs dead” [Domestos]
• “Impossible is nothing” [Adidas]
• “Refreshes the parts other beers cannot reach” [Heineken]

How do you pronounce hyperbole?

Hyperbole is pronounced “hy-pur-buh-lee” [haɪˈpɜrbəli] in American English and “hy-puh-buh-lee” [haɪˈpɜːbəlɪ] in British English (the difference is quite subtle).

Hyperbole is the use of extreme exaggeration to emphasize the emotional intensity of a situation.

What is a synonym for hyperbole?

Although there isn’t really a word that means exactly the same as hyperbole, there are a number of synonyms, including:

• Exaggeration
• Overstatement
• Elaboration
• Embellishment
• Amplification
• Hype
• Magnification

The Scribbr paraphrasing tool is a great way of finding synonyms for hyperbole, as well as helping you to rephrase your writing.

What are some songs with hyperbole?

Hyperbole is a popular technique in songs. Here are some examples:

• “The sky is falling, I’m feeling all alone.” —“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele.
• “You’re invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.” —“Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan.
• “Oh, well, I’ll look at you and say, ‘It’s the happiest that I’ve ever been.’” —“5 Years Time” by Noah and the Whale.
• “When you lot get out we’re gonna hit the town.” —“Stay Free” by The Clash.
• “His soul’s escaping through this hole that is gaping.” —“Lose Yourself” by Eminem.