How to Pronounce “hyperbole”

American (US)

/haɪˈpɜːrbəli/

British (UK)

/haɪˈpɜːbəli/

Australian (AU)

/hɑeˈpɜːbəli/

noun — Deliberate exaggeration used for effect and not meant literally.

Example: Saying the bag weighed a ton was pure hyperbole.

Synonyms: exaggeration, overstatement

Antonyms: understatement

A loanword from Greek. Like other Greek -e endings, the final vowel is pronounced: “hy-PER-buh-lee”, four syllables, not the two-syllable reading the spelling suggests.

Where the stress falls. “hyperbole” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /haɪˈpɜːrbəli/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /haɪˈpɜːrbəli/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "hyperbole" mean?

hyperbole (noun): Deliberate exaggeration used for effect and not meant literally. For example — Saying the bag weighed a ton was pure hyperbole.

How do you pronounce "hyperbole" in American vs British English?

American English: /haɪˈpɜːrbəli/. British English: /haɪˈpɜːbəli/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "hyperbole"?

/haɪˈpɜːrbəli/ in American English, /haɪˈpɜːbəli/ in British English, /hɑeˈpɜːbəli/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "hyperbole"?

“hyperbole” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /haɪˈpɜːrbəli/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

• Advanced pronunciation words