Hyperbole (pronounced hi-PER-buh-lee) is a form of exaggeration used to make a point, emphasise an idea, or add a bit of flair to your language. You’ve probably encountered it in everyday conversations, books, and even in advertising. It’s not meant to be taken literally — nobody actually thinks you’ve been waiting for an eternity when you say, “I’ve been waiting forever!” But that’s kind of the point. It’s a tool to express strong feelings, make a statement, or just add a bit of drama to your everyday conversations.
Why use hyperbole?
Hyperbole can be a powerful tool when you want to express emotions or describe situations that feel larger than life. Saying, “I’m exhausted,” might get your point across, but “I’m so tired I could sleep for a week,” really drives home just how drained you feel. It helps create a vivid image in the listener’s mind and can make your message more engaging and relatable.
It’s also a way to inject a bit of humor or creativity into your speech or writing. For example, telling a friend, “You’re taking forever!” when they’re running late isn’t just about their tardiness — it’s a light-hearted way to show that you’re eager for them to arrive without being overly serious.
Everyday examples of hyperbole
Hyperbole is common in our daily conversations, often without us even realising it. Here are a few examples:
- “I’m starving.” While you’re not literally on the brink of starvation, this statement emphasises just how hungry you feel.
- “This suitcase is back-breaking.” The suitcase may be heavy, but it certainly isn’t going to break your back. The exaggeration highlights the effort it takes to carry it.
- “I’ve told you a thousand times.” You haven’t repeated yourself a thousand times, but it feels like you’ve made your point enough already.
These exaggerations help to communicate feelings more effectively and make our expressions more dynamic.
Hyperbole in pop culture
Hyperbole is often used in music, film, and books to create memorable and impactful moments. For instance, in love songs, you might hear lyrics like, “I would walk a thousand miles just to see you,” which isn’t meant to be taken literally.
In literature, hyperbole can be used to create a particular tone or to highlight a character’s emotions. Take The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald as an example, where a character’s smile is described as having “a quality of eternal reassurance.” The idea of a smile being “eternal” is clearly an exaggeration, but it helps to convey the powerful, almost magical impression that the character leaves on others. (More on this below.)
When to use hyperbole in writing
Hyperbole is most effective in informal contexts. It’s a way to make your language more vivid and expressive, which can be particularly useful when you want to keep your audience engaged.
How to identify hyperbole
Identifying hyperbole in writing can be a bit like spotting someone telling a tall tale — it’s all about looking for those moments where the writer’s words go beyond what’s realistic or literal.
Hyperbole is when something is exaggerated to an extreme to make a point or add a bit of drama. So, when you’re reading and come across phrases like “I’m starving” when the character just skipped lunch, or “I’ve got a million things to do” when they’re just busy, you’re likely dealing with hyperbole.
What else can you look out for? Pay attention to words like “forever,” “never,” “always,” or anything that feels over-the-top, like “I’m so tired I could sleep for a year” — no one actually sleeps for a year, right? It’s just a way to say they’re really, really tired. You might also find hyperbole in comparisons, like “as light as a feather” or “drowning in paperwork” — these aren’t meant to be taken literally but are used to paint a vivid picture. If a description or statement makes you pause and think, “Okay, that’s a bit much,” you’ve probably found some hyperbole. Ultimately, if it feels exaggerated, it probably is.
Hyperbole examples
You can easily spot hyperbole in books by looking for moments of exaggeration — those instances where things are described in a way that’s so extreme, they’re not meant to be taken literally. Hyperbole often involves statements that stretch the truth to emphasise a point or add dramatic flair. For instance, if a character says they’re so hungry they could eat a horse, it’s a clear exaggeration.
Keep an eye out for these over-the-top descriptions, and you’ll start to see how authors use hyperbole to make their writing more vivid and engaging.
Let’s dive into a few examples to see hyperbole in action.
1. “My Spanish teachers were always rolling their eyes…” – Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
2. “I feel like a warm gust of wind could exhale my way and I’d be disappeared forever…” – Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
3. “Richard Finch nowhere to be seen. Though actually is good as have time to further plan my defence. Weird thing is: office is completely empty!” – Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding
4. “We’re going to freeze to death if we stay here much longer.” – The Blame by Charlotte Langley