exaggerate

/ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/

verb★Intermediate💡 to overstate or make something seem larger or more important than it really is

informal

to describe something as being larger, more important, or more extreme than it really is

He exaggerated the size of the fish he caught.

He made the fish sound much bigger than it actually was.

The news report exaggerated the severity of the storm.

The report made the storm seem worse than it was.

💡

Often used to describe someone who makes things seem more dramatic or impressive than they are.

Collocations

exaggerate the truthto make something seem more true or important than it isexaggerate a storyto make a story sound more exciting or dramaticexaggerate one's achievementsto make one's accomplishments sound more impressive

to make facts seem more significant than they are

to express emotions more intensely than they are actually felt

Exaggeration is often used in storytelling, advertising, and everyday conversation to make things more interesting or dramatic.

In formal or professional contexts, exaggeration can be seen as dishonest or unprofessional. Use it carefully.

From Latin 'exaggerare', meaning 'to heap up' or 'to make heavy', from 'ex-' (out) + 'aggerare' (to heap).

Can be used both positively (to emphasize something important) or negatively (to mislead or deceive).

ex-

out, beyond

prefix

-agger-

to heap or pile up

root

-ate

to make or cause

suffix

English Dictionary