Exaggeration: meaning, definitions and examples

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exaggeration

 

[ ɪɡˌzædʒəˈreɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in storytelling

A statement that represents something as better or worse than it really is, often for the sake of emphasis or effect.

Synonyms

embellishment, hyperbole, overstatement

Examples of usage

  • He described the fish he caught as being as big as a whale, but it was just an exaggeration.
  • She always tells stories with a touch of exaggeration to make them more entertaining.
  • Don't take his exaggerations too seriously; he tends to exaggerate to make his stories more dramatic.
Context #2 | Noun

in comedy

A comedic device in which something is overstated or represented as larger or more important than it really is, for humorous effect.

Synonyms

caricature, parody, satire

Examples of usage

  • The comedian's use of exaggeration in his jokes had the audience roaring with laughter.
  • Exaggeration is a common technique used in comedy to highlight absurdity or poke fun at stereotypes.
Context #3 | Noun

in everyday speech

The action of making something seem larger, better, worse, or more important than it really is.

Synonyms

embellishment, hyperbole, overstatement

Examples of usage

  • Her tendency towards exaggeration makes it difficult to know when she's telling the truth.
  • Exaggeration can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations in communication.

Translations

Translations of the word "exaggeration" in other languages:

🇵🇹 exagero

🇮🇳 अतिशयोक्ति

🇩🇪 Übertreibung

🇮🇩 berlebihan

🇺🇦 перебільшення

🇵🇱 przesada

🇯🇵 誇張 (こちょう)

🇫🇷 exagération

🇪🇸 exageración

🇹🇷 abartı

🇰🇷 과장 (gwajang)

🇸🇦 مبالغة

🇨🇿 přehánění

🇸🇰 preháňanie

🇨🇳 夸张 (kuāzhāng)

🇸🇮 pretiravanje

🇮🇸 ýkjur

🇰🇿 асыра сілтеу

🇬🇪 გადაჭარბება

🇦🇿 şişirtmə

🇲🇽 exageración

Etymology

The word 'exaggeration' originated from the Latin word 'exaggeratio', which means 'a heaping up' or 'an increase'. The concept of exaggeration has been present in storytelling, comedy, and everyday speech for centuries, as a way to add emphasis, humor, or drama to communication. By intentionally overstating or amplifying certain aspects, exaggeration can create memorable and engaging narratives. In literature and art, exaggeration is often used to draw attention to specific traits or characteristics, making them more pronounced for effect.

See also: exaggerated, exaggeratedly, exaggerator.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,788, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.