Exaggerative

/ɪɡˈzæɡ.ə.reɪ.tɪv/ adjective

Definition

Tending to exaggerate; characterized by or given to making things seem bigger or more extreme than they really are.

Etymology

From exaggerate plus -ive (Latin -ivus), an adjective suffix meaning 'having the quality of.' This creates adjectives that describe the tendency or quality of the root word.

Kelly Says

The -ive suffix is incredibly productive in English—it turns verbs into adjectives describing tendency or quality, which is why we say 'talkative' people, 'aggressive' sports, and 'exaggerative' storytellers.

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