What is hyperbole?

Definition
	Hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration for emotional effect. The addressee is not expected to have a literal understanding of the expression.

Example (English)

In the Bible, the following expression from Matthew 23:24 contains examples of hyperbole:

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

The words gnat and camel are hyperbolic expressions of smallness and largeness.

Source:

Beekman and Callow 1974 118

Concept module: hyperbole
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): H
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004