Spanish word

exagerar

Pronunciation

IPA/eksaxeˈɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbexaggerate

Example

No exageres, fue solo un accidente.

Don't exaggerate, it was just an accident.

Illustration for exagerar (exaggerate)

More examples

Ella suele exagerar los detalles cuando cuenta una anécdota.

She tends to embellish the details when she tells an anecdote.

Core concept

A small truth piled into a large heap.

Common phrases

  • exagerar la verdad

    exaggerate the truth

  • exagerar los detalles

    embellish the details

  • exagerar mucho

    exaggerate greatly

Similar words

inflar: Overstates measurable aspects like amounts or counts to suggest greater scale.
agrandar: Speaks of an occurrence in terms that enlarge its perceived importance or reach.
magnificar: Magnifies a minor matter, presenting it as unusually important or consequential.

Definition in Spanish

Decir que algo es más grande, importante o intenso de lo que realmente es.

Word origin

From Latin exagĕrāre ('ex-' 'out' + agger 'heap'), originally 'to pile up' and later extended to mean 'to overstate'.

Usage tips

  • In casual speech Spanish uses "No exageres" as a mild rebuke meaning "don't make it sound bigger" and speakers often soften it with "no tanto" or a joking tone.

Other meanings

  • embellishverb

Opposites

  • minimizarminimizeverb
  • subestimarunderestimateverb

Related words

  • exageraciónexaggerationnoun
  • exageradoexaggeratedadjective
  • exageradamenteexcessivelyadverb

Word lists with this word