Last Updated on October 5, 2021
Hyperbole like other figures of speech such as Personification, Simile, and Metaphor is very common in both literature and everyday speech. Most of us have used Hyperbole in our everyday conversations consciously and otherwise.
Have you ever said you’ve done something a million times? While you probably haven’t done it a million times, you did use hyperbole.
To help you understand what this literary device is and how it is used, this article provides detailed guidance on definitions and examples of Hyperbole, and how it can be used in a sentence.
Table of Contents
Meaning of Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an exaggeration used for emphasis or humor. This literary tool is often used to make a certain element of a story seem more interesting. To say you were bored to tears (even when you were never on the verge of crying) packs a bit more of a punch than, “I was bored.”
This literary tool isn’t meant to be taken literally because, while lying isn’t encouraged, stretching the truth is the name of the game. Let’s have some fun with entertaining examples of hyperbole for kids that’ll acquaint them with a new element of fiction and hopefully spark a lifelong friendship.
Examples of Hyperbole
Hyperbole to Express Size
Size works great for hyperbole because it’s easy to make something larger than life. See a few fun, kid-friendly examples of hyperbole the whole family can enjoy.
- She’s as thin as a toothpick.
- Her brain is the size of a pea.
- He was skinny enough to jump through a keyhole.
- That mall is large enough to have its own zip code.
- I ate so much on Thanksgiving, I weigh more than a whale.
- Her smile was a mile wide.
- His stomach is a bottomless pit.
Hyperbole to Express Desperation
Hyperbole is all about drama. It is an exaggeration, after all. See some fun uses of hyperbole to express desperation.
- If I can’t get a smartphone, I will die.
- My mom is going to kill me.
- These dress shoes are killing me.
- It was so cold I saw polar bears wearing jackets.
- My mom works her fingers to the bone.
- I had a ton of chores to do.
- I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
- It’s so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.
- We used to walk 15 miles to school in the snow uphill.
- You could have knocked me over with a feather.
Hyperbole to Exaggerate Amount
Kids generally have a hard time fully understanding amounts and money. Therefore, amounts are typically exaggerated. See how this works through a few examples.
- Our new house cost bazillion dollars.
- The church was decorated with a million flowers.
- He’s got tons of video games.
- It’s gonna cost a million dollars, so I won’t ask.
- I ran a hundred miles yesterday.
Hyperbole to Exaggerate Time
- Time gets exaggerated a lot with hyperbole. See a few excellent examples of hyperbole for kids.
- Grandpa is older than dirt.
- Old Mr. Smith has been teaching here since the Stone Age.
- My dad is always working.
- I’ve told you a million times not to do that.
- We waited 50 years for the latest game to be released.
- It will only take me two seconds to get there.
- You’re walking slower than a snail.
- Carrie never stops talking.
Examples of Hyperbole in Everyday Speech
Take a look at the following list of hyperbolic phrases. How many of them have you heard or used before?
- He’s running faster than the wind.
- This bag weighs a ton.
- That man is as tall as a house.
- This is the worst day of my life.
- The shopping cost me a million dollars.
- My dad will kill me when he comes home.
- Your skin is softer than silk.
- She’s as skinny as a toothpick.
- She was so happy; her smile was a mile wide.
- The footballer is the best player of all time.
- I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
- It’s impossible to complete this puzzle.
- Next Friday is never going to arrive.
- I’ve read this book a hundred times.
- My hand hurts so much it’s going to drop off.
- My brother is stronger than iron.
- She’s my guardian angel.
- Your brain is the size of a pea.
- I’m so sad that I’m drowning in tears.
- The leaves are dancing in the breeze.
Examples of Hyperbole in Love Messages
- Not only are you the most special person in my left, but you are also the only person in my life.
- If it were a very cloudy day, you’d still supply the sunshine.
- I love you to the moon and back.
- Superglue has nothing on what holds us together.
- Your smile alone makes my life worth living.
- I think about you 24 hours a day and if for some reason I’m not thinking about you, I’m thinking about us.
- Even if I gave you all the roses in the world, they would not be enough.
- You mean more to me than everything else in my world.
- I would travel a million miles just for the chance to hold your hand.
- You stole my heart and no, I don’t want it back.
- There are three words I would say every day for 100 lifetimes, “I Love You!”
Hope you found this information interesting and helpful. Please feel free to share this with your friends and colleagues.
You can do that by using the social media sharing buttons below. Please don’t fail to let us know how you feel about this guide using the comment box below.