Pronunciation Guide • English (from Greek)
How to Pronounce hyperbole
Difficulty: hard
IPA Transcription
/haɪˈpɜːrbəli/
Why is it so hard to pronounce?
Four syllables: hy-PER-bo-lee. Like "epitome", the final "-e" is pronounced. This is because the word comes directly from Greek where all syllables are pronounced. NOT "hyper-bowl".
💡 Pro Tip for hyperbole
hy-PER-buh-lee. Rhymes with "monopoly" without the "mono".
Listen to the Native Audio
To hear the exact pronunciation of hyperbole by a native speaker, use the Pronouncer engine below.
Hear 'hyperbole' Audio Now →Word Origins
The term hyperbole originates from Greek "hyperbolē". Understanding its etymology helps explain why it breaks standard pronunciation rules.