Hyperbole: Definition, Functions and Great Hyperbole Examples

When speaking or writing in English, you are sure to come across the use of hyperbole, but what exactly is this? In this article, we are going to look at what hyperbole is and how it is used in both speech and in writing. We will take a look at some examples in order to further see how it can be applied to the language.

Commonly encountered in literature, poetry, and everyday speech, hyperboles are deliberate and easily identifiable overstatements that serve to make a point more vivid or memorable. They are not meant to be taken literally, but rather to create an effect on the audience or engage the reader’s imagination.

What Is A Hyperbole?

Hyperbole Definition

In short, hyperbole is a statement that has been exaggerated. It is used to overstate a situation and is not intended to be taken literally. Hyperbole may be used in a figurative language to overexpress what someone is saying, in such an example as ‘I almost died from laughter.’ The speaker did not literally almost die but using this hyperbole they are expressing that they laughed a great deal.

Hyperbole can also be used as a rhetoric device, in this type of use you might see a phrase such as ‘we have nothing to fear but fear itself.’ In this example, the speaker is exaggerating how fearful people should be or are.

Hyperbole is used to overemphasize a statement or situation in order to give a more dramatic effect on the listener or reader.

In summary, hyperbole is a rhetorical device or figure of speech characterized by the use of exaggeration to emphasize a point or create a strong impression. Its primary purpose is to evoke strong feelings or reactions in the audience, often by making things sound much bigger, better, smaller, worse, or more unusual than they actually are. It can be used both in poetry and oratory.

Hyperbole Origin

The term “hyperbole” has its origins in the Greek language, where it was derived from the words “hyper-“, meaning beyond or over, and “bolē,” which means a throw or cast. The combination of these words, “hyper” and “bolē,” essentially indicates an exaggeration or overstatement in rhetoric.

This rhetorical device has been in use since ancient Greek literature and was a common feature in works by prominent Greek writers and philosophers. Despite its long history, hyperbole remains a popular tool in modern-day communication, employed across various forms of media, including literature, advertising, and everyday conversations.

In summary, hyperbole serves as an effective means of emphasizing a point or eliciting strong emotions in the audience. Its roots in the Greek language and its continual presence in the world of rhetoric makes it an enduring and versatile figure of speech.

Types of Hyperbole

Positive Hyperbole

Positive hyperbole is the use of exaggeration to emphasize a positive aspect or feature of a person or situation. This type of hyperbole highlights the impressive qualities or characteristics, and often, it is used to make something appear even more exceptional. For example:

• She’s as fast as lightning.
• The cake was so delicious, it tasted like heaven on earth.

Using positive hyperbole can help create vivid imagery or add emphasis to a point in a lively and engaging way.

Negative Hyperbole

Negative hyperbole, conversely, is the use of exaggeration to emphasize a negative aspect or feature of a person or situation. This exaggeration can have the effect of making something seem worse or more intense, and is often used to add drama to a situation. Examples include:

• He’s as slow as a tortoise.
• The test was so hard, it felt like climbing Mount Everest.

By utilizing negative hyperbole, the reader or listener’s attention is drawn to the undesirable traits or qualities, often for dramatic or comedic effect.

Hype

Hype is a type of hyperbole that is typically used to promote a product, event, or person. It often involves excessive and unrealistic claims, with the intent to generate excitement and enthusiasm. Hype can be seen in advertising, entertainment, and marketing.

Understatement

Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole. It involves presenting something as less important, significant, or serious than it actually is. A form of understatement is litotes, which uses double negatives to convey a positive meaning. For example:

• That’s not a bad idea! (meaning: it’s a good idea)
• She isn’t the friendliest person I’ve met. (meaning: she’s unfriendly)

Understatements can be used to convey modesty, irony, or sarcasm.

Meiosis

Meiosis, also known as belittlement or diminishment, is a figure of speech that intentionally understates something to make it seem less important or less significant. It is often used humorously or to express modesty. An example:

• “I’m just a bit tired,” he said after running a marathon.

In this example, the speaker downplays their exhaustion to create a humorous effect.

In conclusion, the various types of hyperbole and their related figures of speech serve various purposes in language, from amplifying the impact of a statement to adding drama or humor to a situation. Writers and speakers must use them skillfully and accurately to convey their intended meaning effectively.

Forms of Hyperbole

In Literature and Writing

Hyperbole is a common figure of speech used in literature and writing to create emphasis and evoke strong emotions. As a literary device, writers employ hyperbole for various purposes, including creating vivid images, producing a dramatic effect, or emphasizing a point. In drama, hyperbole can enliven dialogues and generate humor, while in poetry, it can intensify feelings and expressions. Examples of hyperbole in literature are found in works by authors such as Mark Twain and Shakespeare.

In Advertising and Marketing

In the realm of advertising and marketing, hyperbole is frequently utilized to capture attention and persuade consumers. Advertisers often use exaggerated claims to make products or services appear more desirable, promising exceptional results or outstanding qualities. For instance, ad campaigns might employ phrases like “the ultimate experience” or “earth-shattering taste.” While these statements are not meant to be taken literally, they serve as eye-catching slogans that convey a sense of excitement and prestige.

In Everyday Conversation

Hyperbole is also prevalent in everyday language and conversation. People often use over-exaggerations to emphasize their points or exaggerate emotions in a lighthearted manner. Common hyperbolic expressions include phrases like “I’m starving,” “this bag weighs a ton,” or “I’m so tired I could sleep for a year.” Although these statements are not factually accurate, they effectively convey the speaker’s feelings or experiences with added emphasis.

In Political Communication

Political discourse frequently employs hyperbole as a rhetorical tool to persuade, manipulate, or provoke. Politicians and political commentators might use exaggerated language to emphasize particular issues or make dramatic contrasts between policy positions. Examples of political hyperbole include statements like “this policy will ruin the economy” or “our opponents want to destroy our way of life.” The use of hyperbole in political communication can be strategic, playing on emotions and grabbing headlines, but may also contribute to increased polarization and cynicism in public discourse.

Hyperbole Examples: Speech vs. Literature

Examples of Hyperbole in Speech

There are many instances in which hyperbole is used in day to day conversation, it is one of the most common forms of figures of speech and you are likely to hear it used regularly. Let’s now take a look at some examples of hyperbole in sentences.

• I have a hundred and one things to do today.
• This job is going to take me forever.
• I am never going to finish this meal.
• She has been at the shop for an eternity.
• I am stuck on a level which is impossible.
• I am never going to get this job done.
• That man is as old as time.
• This bag weighs ten tonnes.
• He has been talking for a week.
• When I was pregnant, I was as big as a house.
• He never diets and now he is as heavy as an elephant.
• I almost died of embarrassment.
• I laughed so much, I nearly died.
• I’ve seen this movie a million times.
• I’m so hungry that I could eat a horse.
• When I went jogging this morning, I worked so hard, I ran a thousand miles.
• I have a million problems that I need to solve.
• The man was as tall as a skyscraper.
• I haven’t seen my mother in and age and a day.
• I was dying to see the concert.
• Last summer was so hot that I was on fire.
• My husband is a bad driver, he drives everywhere are five hundred miles an hour.
• My sister has a brain the size of a pea.
• His heart is as cold as ice.
• His stare was as hard as a rock.
• The big cat runs faster than the wind.
• Today has been the worst day in history.
• My girlfriend has skin as soft as silk.
• I should not have done that, my mom is going to kill me.
• She is thin as a runner bean.
• I cooked enough food to feed an army.
• That dress cost me a billion dollars.
• He had a mile-wide smile.
• I’m so sad that I am drowning in my sorrows.
• My aunt is my guardian angel.
• I have told you no a thousand times before.
• His new sports car goes faster than the speed of light.
• He is as old as a dinosaur.
• I was so shocked that you could have knocked me over with a feather.
• He has an endless supply of money.

Examples of Hyperbole in Literature

Many times writers will use hyperbole within their work to exaggerate or overstate a situation in order to make it more interesting and gripping to the reader. Let’s take a look at some examples of when hyperbole has been used in written works.

• “We’re so hot, we will melt your popsicle.” This is a line from the song California Girls by Katy Perry.
• “I will fly to the moon and back.” This is an example of hyperbole taken from a song by the band Savage Garden.
• “One winter, since it was so cold, the geese all went backwards and I saw fish flying south.” This example of hyperbole is taken from Babe in the blue ox by Paul Bunyan.
• “My love, I will adore you until Africa and China meet.” This is an example of hyperbole being used in the text As I walked once evening by W H Auden.
• “I was to wait at the train station for ten days-it was an eternity.” In this case, hyperbole can be seen written by Joseph Conrad in The heart of darkness.
• In the poem Red, red rose written by Robert Burns, the author implies that he will love his partner until the seas dry up with the line “I will love you until the seas are dry.”
• “Please take a seat, because this man has produced nine million awards ceremonies.” This is an example of hyperbole being used in a speech delivered by Dick Clark as he accepted an award.
• “The captain was taking on anyone who could walk.” In this case, we see an example of hyperbole which was taken from a speech written by Larry Rayfield Wright.
• “Her facial skin was a drawn and tight as that of an onion.” We find this example of hyperbole in the book, Parker’s back written by Flannery O’Connor.
• “It was not simply a man which he was holding but rather giant, a huge block of stone.” This is an example of hyperbole taken from a text written by James Ramsey Ulman called Banner in the sky.

Conclusion

Hyperbole is a type of figure of speech that is used to overstate or exaggerate a sentence or situation in order to make it more dramatic. It is regularly used in day to day conversation especially in informal speech. It can also be found many times in written text such as songs, poetry and stories to add an emphasis on something.

Hyperbole Infographic

FAQs on Hyperbole

What is hyperbole?

Hyperbole is a figure of speech and literary device that creates a heightened effect through deliberate exaggeration. It is often used to emphasize a point, make a statement more dramatic, or draw attention to an issue by making it seem more significant.

How is hyperbole used in writing?

Writers employ hyperbole in various ways, such as in rhetoric, literature, or everyday speech. This figure of speech is often used to create serious, comic, or ironic effects. For example, in the statement “I’ve told you a million times,” the number “million” is clearly an exaggeration, emphasizing the speaker’s frustration.

Where does the term ‘hyperbole’ come from?

The word “hyperbole” has its origins in the Greek word “huperbole,” meaning “to throw above.” This etymology is fitting, as hyperbole often throws exaggeration above the literal meaning of a statement in order to create emphasis.

What is the difference between hyperbole and understatement?

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to make a point, while understatement is its opposite – using modest, restrained language to create a more subtle emphasis. For example, consider these two statements about the weather: “It’s raining cats and dogs” (hyperbole) versus “It’s just a light drizzle” (understatement) when it is pouring heavily.

Can hyperbole be found in everyday speech?

Yes, hyperbole can often be found in casual conversations or everyday speech. People frequently use exaggerated language to emphasize their feelings or emotions. Some common examples include phrases like “I’m starving” when one is simply hungry or “I could sleep for days” when one is just very tired.

Is hyperbole always obvious?

Hyperbole is often very noticeable due to its exaggerated nature. However, in some cases, context and the speaker’s tone can determine whether a statement is taken as hyperbole or understood literally. It is still important for the audience to be familiar with this figure of speech to recognize when it is being used.

Related:

• Literary Devices