Exaggeration is a rhetorical and literary device that involves stating something in a way that amplifies or overstresses its characteristics, often to create a more dramatic or humorous effect. It involves making a situation, object, or quality seem more significant, intense, or extreme than it actually is. This can be used for various purposes, such as emphasizing a point, generating humor, or engaging an audience.

For example, saying "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse" is an exaggeration. The speaker does not literally mean they could eat a horse; rather, they're emphasizing how very hungry they feel. Exaggerations are often found in storytelling, advertising, and everyday language.