Hyperbole is a literary and rhetorical device that involves the deliberate use of extreme exaggeration to create strong emphasis, express intense emotion (such as anger, joy, or humor), or evoke a dramatic or comic effect. It is never meant to be taken literally but rather to highlight or amplify a point dramatically. For example, saying "I'm starving" or "I've told you a million times" are hyperboles meant to emphasize hunger or repetition, not actual fact. Hyperbole can be a single word, phrase, or even a clause, and it often includes words like "always," "never," or "everyone" for amplification. It is commonly found in similes and metaphors and is frequently used in everyday speech, literature, advertising, and entertainment to catch attention or convey strong feelings. The term comes from the Greek root "hyperballein" meaning "throw beyond," conveying the sense of excess or going beyond the usual limits. Some everyday examples include:

• "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!"
• "She was dying of laughter!"
• "We laughed until our sides split."

Hyperbole adds color and intensity to language, making it more vivid and engaging.