Which term is a figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis or humorous effect?

• A. Metaphor
• B. Hyperbole
• C. Irony
• D. Imagery

Answer: (B)

Exaggeration used for emphasis or humorous effect is hyperbole. It involves overstating something far beyond its true value on purpose, to make it feel exciting, dramatic, or funny. Because it isn’t meant to be taken literally, you might hear expressions like “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” or “this bag weighs a ton.” This stands in contrast to other figures of speech: a metaphor makes a direct comparison between two things, irony expresses the opposite of what is meant (often for humor or critique), and imagery uses descriptive language to create sensory details. Hyperbole’s key idea is overstatement for effect, which is exactly what the question describes.