- Definition
Hyperbole is when someone uses extreme exaggeration to make a point or create a strong effect, like saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
Saying 'I've told you a million times' is hyperbole because you are exaggerating the number to show your frustration.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Hyperbole is like saying your backpack weighs a ton — you're stretching the truth on purpose to show how heavy it feels.
Ask your child: What's an over-the-top way to say you're really hungry?
Common mix-up: Kids might think hyperbole is just lying. The difference is that with hyperbole, everyone knows you're not being literal and are just exaggerating to make a point.
Examples
- He's running faster than the speed of light.
- This history book is a million pages long.
hyperbole is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
