Hyperbole definition and meaning collins english dictionary. And the salmon sing in the street, ill love you till the ocean. Hyperbole is the literary term used for exaggeration. The definition of hyperbole in the dictionary is a deliberate exaggeration used. Simile definition and meaning collins english dictionary.
This would be a good metaphor for something, no doubt, if i could only pin it down. The skin on her face was as thin and drawn as tight as the skin of onion and her eyes were gray and sharp like the points of two picks. Latin hyperbole, from greek huperbole, excess, from huperballein, to exceed. Hyperbole definition, obvious and intentional exaggeration. The noun hyperbole can be countable or uncountable in more general, commonly used, contexts, the plural form will also be hyperbole however, in more specific contexts, the plural form can also be hyperboles e. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis literally growth. However, when a hyperbole is used appropriately, its effect is purposeful and emphatic, causing the reader to pay attention to that particular point. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage. A simile is an expression which describes a person or thing as being similar to someone. Pronunciation of hyperbole with 2 audio pronunciations, 8 synonyms, 14 translations, 3 sentences and more for hyperbole. The word hyperbole an obvious or extreme exaggeration is via latin, from the greek hyperbole, which was used to mean exaggeration, extravagance but literally meant a throwing beyond. A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect, as in i could sleep for a year or this book weighs a ton. Hyperbole pronounced highpurrbolee is a figure of speech in which an author or speaker purposely and obviously exaggerates to an extreme. May 21, 2017 in this english pronunciation lesson, im going to show you how to pronounce some difficult words.
Hyperbole definition is extravagant exaggeration such as milehigh icecream cones. It is the opposite of understatement you can find examples of hyperbole in literature and everyday speech. Hyperbole is a figure of speech or rhetorical figure that makes use of figurative language that is to say, a form of language that is not to be taken literally but rather exploited indirectly and interpretatively by the use of exaggeration in order to add to its emphasis or effect or to make the meaning of the phrase more. Hyperbole definition of hyperbole by the free dictionary. Mar 09, 2020 in these circumstances, hyperbole is called for, the rhetorical figure that raises its objects up, excessively, way above their actual merit. Proper usage and audio pronunciation plus ipa phonetic transcription of the word hyperbole.
Definition, usage and a list of hyperbole examples in common speech and literature. Hyperbole can also be used to make something sound much worse than it actually is. Examples of hyperbole in literature your dictionary. The book s title is, of course, a metaphor for what she as a writer does. Hyperbole examples and definition of hyperbole literary devices. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Hyperbole is a form of rhetoric, comprising exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.
Hyperbole, from a greek word meaning excess, is a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to make a point or show emphasis. You wouldnt want to use it in nonfiction works, like reports or research papers, but its perfect for creative writing and communication, especially. She used hyperbole to emphasize her point that her sister is overweight. Definition of hyperbole noun in oxford advanced learners dictionary. English for beginners practical english travel english telephone english banking english accounting english dictionary. It is used for emphasis or as a way of making a description more creative and humorous. This is the british english pronunciation of hyperbole. In this english pronunciation lesson, im going to show you how to pronounce some difficult words. My parallel blog which concentrates more on matters of faithreflecturehas a similarly storied origin for its. If someone uses hyperbole, they say or write things that make something sound much more. Hyperbole definition in the cambridge english dictionary.
Hyperbole pronunciation in english cambridge dictionary. The exaggeration in parkers back by flannery oconnor helps to set up the characterization. The fact that hyperbole is pronounced in a way counter to the usual workings of. You wouldnt want to use it in nonfiction works, like reports or research papers, but its perfect for. Both jewish and christian apocrypha helped shape the christian imaginative repertoire throughout the medieval period. This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising. Syllepsis definition is the use of a word to modify or govern syntactically two or more words with only one of which it formally agrees in gender, number, or case. Hyperbole definition of hyperbole by merriamwebster.
Hyperbole article about hyperbole by the free dictionary. How to pronounce hyperbole in english cambridge dictionary. Hyperbole, derived from a greek word meaning overcasting is a figure of. Somehow niggling at my brain is this apartment as a metaphor for the korean way of doing things. If the truth of something is, lets say, 510, yet you present it as 1010 with hyperbole, then it will be. Definition and synonyms of hyperbole from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. Definition of hyperbole merriamwebsters student dictionary. Why is hyperbole pronounced so differently from its. For example, you can say, jane said to her sister, your butt is as big as the state of wisconsin. In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions.
If the truth of something is, lets say, 510, yet you present it as 1010 with hyperbole, then it will be difficult for your audience to recover all the way back to 510. Syllepsis definition of syllepsis by merriamwebster. Lets now take a look at some examples of hyperbole in sentences. Hyperbole, derived from a greek word meaning overcasting is a figure of speech, which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis. Thus the term rhetorical hyperbole is an oxymoron, but it has a nice ring to it which is why it is the name of this blog. These words are often pronounced incorrectly and are common mistakes that many english students make. Mom, if i dont get some dinner soon, i will starve to death. What is the best definition for the word hyperbole. When authors use hyperbole, they do not mean for their statements to be taken literallythey are exaggerating the facts for effect.
Andrew marvell employed hyperbole throughout to his coy mistress. It is important to note that hyperbole is not meant to be taken literally. This is a noun which means an exaggerated statement. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms. How to pronounce the english word hyperbole english. Finally the material in this book is intended to permit those persons to instruct. When english adopts words from other languages, it often keeps both the spelling and pronunciation close to those of the origin language. Definition of hyperbole written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels. Start studying 10 literary terms hyperbole, onomatopoeia, interjection,imagery, dialogue, alliteration, allusion, personification, simile, metaphor. 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. Hyperbole definition for englishlanguage learners from.
Ill love you, dear, ill love you till china and africa meet, and the river jumps over the mountain. Hyperbole is when you use language to exaggerate what you mean or emphasize a point. Hyperbole examples examples of hyperbole in speech. The book of enoch influenced later jewish apocrypha, and left marks in the new testament and amongst the works of the early fathers. Listen to the audio pronunciation in the cambridge english dictionary. Personification definition, the attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure. Nov 12, 2017 the english pronunciation of hyperbole highperbohlee comes from the greek pronunciation. Examples include watch and match, and love and move. Dec 30, 2018 hyperbole, or overexaggeration, is rife in common, everyday informal speech, from saying things like your book bag weighs a ton, that you were so mad you could have killed someone, or that you could have eaten an entire vat of that delicious dessert. In american and british english, hyperbole is pronounced hipurbowlee. These 10 examples of hyperbole in literature show this literary tool being used to great, expressive effect.
Information and translations of hyperbole in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. From old times on the mississippi, he describes, i was. Hyperbole is more common in everyday speech and verse e. Dec 27, 2019 hyperbole examples examples of hyperbole in speech. An hundred years should go to praise thine eyes and on thy forehead gaze. Hyperbole, or overexaggeration, is rife in common, everyday informal speech, from saying things like your book bag weighs a ton, that you were so mad you could have killed someone, or that you could have eaten an entire vat of that delicious dessert. You can find examples of hyperbole in literature and everyday speech. Information about hyperbole in the dictionary, synonyms and antonyms. Hyperbole definition and synonyms of hyperbole in the english.
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