exaggerate
[ ig-zaj-uh-reyt ]
/ ɪgˈzædʒ əˌreɪt /
Save This Word!
Definition of exaggerate
verb (used with object), ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.
to magnify beyond the limits of truth; overstate; represent disproportionately: to exaggerate the difficulties of a situation.
to increase or enlarge abnormally: Those shoes exaggerate the size of my feet.
verb (used without object), ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing.
to employ exaggeration, as in speech or writing: a person who is always exaggerating.
OTHER WORDS FOR exaggerate
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Origin of exaggerate
OTHER WORDS FROM exaggerate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use exaggerate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for exaggerate
exaggerate
/ (ɪɡˈzædʒəˌreɪt) /
verb
to regard or represent as larger or greater, more important or more successful, etc, than is true
(tr) to make greater, more noticeable, etc, than usualhis new clothes exaggerated his awkwardness
Derived forms of exaggerate
exaggeratingly, adverbexaggeration, nounexaggerative or exaggeratory, adjectiveexaggerator, nounWord Origin for exaggerate
C16: from Latin exaggerāre to magnify, from aggerāre to heap, from agger heap
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012