Hyperbolic/ˌhaɪpərˈbɑːlɪk/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use Used to create a strong impression but not meant to be taken literally. He claimed to be starving, a hyperbolic way of saying he was very hungry. Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Effect Often used to provoke emotions like humor, irritation, or shock in the listener. Her hyperbolic enthusiasm about the event was infectious. Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device Common in creative writing and speeches to emphasize a point. The novel was filled with hyperbolic language, making the characters larger than life.