Meaning & Definition of word "Exaggeration"
Exaggeration
/ɪɡˌzædʒ.əˈreɪ.ʃən/
noun:
- 1. The act of making something seem larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is.
- Example: His story about catching the biggest fish was an exaggeration; it was only a small one.
- 2. A statement that represents something as being larger, better, or worse than it really is.
- Example: She accused him of exaggeration when he claimed he ran a marathon in two hours.
- 3. A statement or claim that is not meant to be taken literally.
- Example: The phrase 'I've told you a million times' is just an exaggeration.
- 4. An overstatement for emphasis or effect.
- Example: In advertising, exaggeration is often used to make products seem more appealing.
Etymology
●From Middle French 'exagération', from Latin 'exaggeratio', 'exaggerare' meaning 'to heap up, increase'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
a mountain out of a molehill:
Making a small issue seem much larger than it is.
blow out of proportion:
To make something seem more serious or important than it is.
pipe dream:
An idea or plan that is unlikely to happen, often exaggerated.
Related Words
overstate:
To describe something in a way that makes it seem more important or serious than it really is.
hyperbole:
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
embellishment:
A statement that makes something sound better or more interesting than it actually is.
Slang Meanings of exaggeration
Meaning: Tall tale
● Example Sentence: He always tells tall tales about his childhood, full of exaggeration.
Meaning: Stretching the truth
● Example Sentence: She was stretching the truth when she said she could run a marathon without training.