hyperbolic

1 of 2

adjective (1)

hy·​per·​bol·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈbä-lik 

variants or less commonly hyperbolical

ˌhī-pər-ˈbä-li-kəl 

: of, relating to, or marked by language that exaggerates or overstates the truth : of, relating to, or marked by hyperbole

hyperbolic claims

hyperbolically

ˌhī-pər-ˈbä-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hyperbolic

2 of 2

adjective (2)

1

geometry : of, relating to, or being like a curve that is formed by the intersection of a double right circular cone with a plane that cuts both halves of the cone : of, relating to, or being analogous to a hyperbola

2

: of, relating to, or being a space in which more than one line parallel to a given line passes through a point

hyperbolic geometry

Examples of hyperbolic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That’s surely hyperbolic (Madame Web, for starters, was Showgirls-level mockable). — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026

With a deep baritone and a flair for hyperbolic sentimentality, Clayton-Thomas’ melodrama fueled a string of hits for Blood, Sweat, and Tears in the late Sixties and early Seventies. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026

That may have been slightly hyperbolic, but not by much. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026

The two books share a racing, hyperbolic approach to interiority. — Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

see hyperbole

Adjective (2)

see hyperbole

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hyperbolic

• hyperbolic function
• hyperbolic paraboloid

Rhymes for hyperbolic

• alcoholic
• anabolic
• apostolic
• catabolic
• cytosolic
• diabolic
• diastolic
• ethanolic
• melancholic
• metabolic
• methanolic
• parabolic