Which statement best describes hyperbole?

• A. A word that means the opposite of another word
• B. A figure of speech in which a non-human thing is given human characteristics
• C. A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis
• D. A figure of speech that compares two things using like or as

Answer: (C)

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or humor. It makes something seem much bigger, better, or more dramatic than it would be in reality to create a strong impression. For example, saying “I'm so hungry I could eat a horse” isn’t meant to be taken literally; it’s a playful way to show how hungry you feel. The idea described here fits hyperbole because the emphasis comes from exaggeration. Other options describe different ideas: describing the opposite of a word is about antonyms, giving human traits to non-human things is personification, and using like or as to compare is a simile.