- Hyperbole. So, as you can tell from those two examples, a hyperbole is defined as obvious and intentional exaggeration.
- Understatement. Instead of exaggerating, an understatement works by diminishing or minimizing the facts or situation at hand.
- Review. Which is an example of hyperbole? The man was very tall. I would have liked to do a little better. ...
What is an example of hyperbole and understatement?
Hyperbole and Understatement. An understatement is exactly what it sounds like: It’s describing something as less than it actually is. If someone hiked Mt. Everest and then described it as a little stroll, this would be an example of an understatement. Many times, and understatement is meant to convey modesty, like in the above example.
What is a hyperbole?
We’ll also be looking at the opposite of a hyperbole, an understatement, and how writers use these figures of speech to enhance their work. So, as you can tell from those two examples, a hyperbole is defined as obvious and intentional exaggeration.
What is the difference between understatement and exaggeration?
In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis (literally 'growth'). Understatement is an expression of lesser strength than what the speaker or writer actually means or than what is normally expected. It is the opposite of embellishment or exaggeration, and is used for emphasis, irony, hedging, or humor.
What is an understatements?
An understatements is a common figure of speech. It can be used in literature, poetry, song and daily speech. Making an understatement minimizes the severity of a situation, draws in the reader and can be used to make others feel better. An understatements can also add a touch of humor to something quite serious.
What is an example of an understatement?
You are out to dinner with a friend who spills food down the front of her white shirt. A polite understatement would be: "Really, it's hardly noticeable." You get the highest grade in the class. A modest understatement would be: "I did OK on that test."
Is hyperbole and understatement opposite?
Understatement is the description of something as having much less of a particular quality than it does. That often involves representing something as less important, less valuable, or smaller than it is. Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole, the term that Professor Elena Passarello explains in her video.
What is the difference between a hyperbole and an exaggeration?
Exaggeration simply means going over the top. An example is when you are waiting for your friend, and you've been waiting 5 minutes, but you say to him: 'I've been waiting for like half an hour!' Hyperbole means UNREALISTIC exaggeration. That's the keyword.
How do we distinguish understatement from exaggeration?
Think of understatement as the opposite of exaggeration. Exaggeration overstates a situation - 'I could eat a horse!' when you are hungry - while understatement underplays the situation - 'Tis' a scratch', when the knight loses all of his limbs.
Can hyperbole be understatement?
Understatement can be understood as the opposite of hyperbole. In hyperbole, the statement goes too far; whereas in understatement, the statement does not go far enough. Understatement can be used to downplay a negative or to be humorous.
What does understatement mean?
Definition of understatement 1 : a statement that represents something as smaller or less intense, or less important than it really is : a statement that understates something To say that I was surprised by this outcome would be an understatement.
What is hyperbole example?
Those who hear or read the hyperbole should understand that it is an exaggeration. You've probably heard common hyperboles in everyday conversations such as “I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse,” “I've seen this movie a hundred times,” or “It cost an arm and a leg.”
What is a hyperbolic example?
That extreme kind of exaggeration in speech is the literary device known as hyperbole. Take this statement for example: I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse. In truth, you wouldn't be able to eat a whole horse. But you use the phrase to show people you're extremely hungry.
What is hyperbole give 5 examples?
Examples of hyperbole are: They ran like greased lightning. He's got tons of money. Her brain is the size of a pea. He is older than the hills.
What figure of speech is understatement?
Understatement is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is. Contrast with hyperbole.
How do you use understatement in a sentence?
Examples of 'understatement' in a sentence understatementHe called it a postscript but he had always had a taste for understatement. ... she said, hitting the wrong note, making it sound like an understatement for his current situation. ... `She can be a bit of a snob sometimes,' Sally said with gross understatement.
What is overstatement and understatement?
Overstated Defined Overstated is the opposite of understated in accounting terminology. Accountants use this term to describe an incorrect reported amount that is higher than the true amount.
What is the difference between hyperbole and understatement?
What is difference between hyperbole and understatement? is that understatement is a disclosure or statement that is less than complete while hyperbole is (uncountable) extreme exaggeration or overstatement; especially as a literary or rhetorical device. Click to see full answer.
What is an understatement in a speech?
An understatement is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is. For example, you win 10 million dollars in a lottery. When you tell a news reporter “I am delighted,” you are making an understatement.
Is hyperbole an understatement?
In this regard, is a hyperbole and understatement? Hyperbole and understatement are two sides of the same coin: they both use distortion to make a point. Hyperbole is a figure of speech that makes something seem bigger or more important than it really is.
What is hyperbole in rhetoric?
Hyperbole (, listen) (adjective form hyperbolic, listen) is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis (literally 'growth'). In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions.
What is understatement in euphemism?
This is not to be confused with euphemism, where a polite phrase is used in place of a harsher or more offensive expression. Understatement may also be called underexaggeration to denote lesser enthusiasm. Hyperbole.
What is an incomplete statement?
Understatement noun. A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect; meiosis.
What is the opposite of embellishment?
ADVERTISEMENT. Understatement. Understatement is an expression of lesser strength than what the speaker or writer actually means or than what is normally expected. It is the opposite of embellishment or exaggeration, and is used for emphasis, irony, hedging, or humor.
What does "understated" mean?
The act of understating, or the condition of being understated; that which is understated; a statement below the truth.
Is "hyperbole" a noun?
Hyperbole noun. A figure of speech in which the expression is an evident exaggeration of the meaning intended to be conveyed, or by which things are represented as much greater or less, better or worse, than they really are; a statement exaggerated fancifully, through excitement, or for effect. Understatement noun.
