Hyperbole meaning

hī-pûrbə-lē

The definition of hyperbole is a description that is exaggerated for emphasis.

An example of hyperbole is saying you are so hungry you could eat a horse.

noun

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.

noun

(uncountable) Extreme exaggeration or overstatement; especially as a literary or rhetorical device.

noun

Exaggeration for effect and not meant to be taken literally (Ex: He's as strong as an ox.)

noun

(countable) An instance or example of this technique.

noun

(uncountable) Deliberate exaggeration.

noun

Origin of hyperbole

Latin hyperbolē from Greek huperbolē excess from huperballein to exceed huper beyond hyper– ballein to throw gwelə- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Latin hyperbolē, from Ancient Greek ὑπερβολή (huperbolē, “excess, exaggeration”), from ὑπέρ (huper, “above”) + βάλλω (ballō, “I throw”).

From Wiktionary