Word
exaggeration
Phoneticsex·ag·ger·a·tion, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ɪɡˌzædʒɝˈeɪʃən/
UK/ɛɡzˌædʒəɹˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01overstatement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a statement that makes something sound more impressive, important, or serious than it is.
n. the act of representing something in an excessive manner that goes beyond the bounds of literal truth.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the storm destroyed the entire village.”
“The claim that the company would double its profits overnight was a gross exaggeration intended to attract gullible investors.”
Pitfall
It is an exaggeration of saying he is the best.
It is an exaggeration to say he is the best.
Use the infinitive 'to say' or a noun phrase after 'exaggeration', rather than 'of' followed by a gerund.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02artistic emphasis
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. making a feature or quality look much stronger or more beautiful than in real life.
n. a representation of things beyond natural life in terms of expression, power, or beauty, often for aesthetic effect.
“The artist used exaggeration in the character's eyes to show deep sadness.”
“The sculptor employed deliberate exaggeration of the muscular structure to convey a sense of divine power rather than human anatomy.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“That 68m years is no exaggeration for here on sale is a triple-horned, fossilised Triceratops skull.” “Sadly, none of this bluster, this exaggeration of how big the problem is, will help any of the people hurting because of the new tariffs and counter-tariffs.” “Sartre believes the waiter’s exaggeration of waiter-hood is an act – that the waiter is deceiving himself into being a waiter.” Etymology
From Latin exaggerātiō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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