ballyhoo
noun
bal·ly·hoo
ˈba-lē-ˌhü 
plural ballyhoos
1
: a noisy attention-getting demonstration or talk
2
: flamboyant, exaggerated, or sensational promotion or publicity
3
: excited commotion
ballyhoo
transitive verb
Examples of ballyhoo in a Sentence
it turned out that the ballyhoo was the result of a movie being filmed on the street
the usual ballyhoo intended to fill the seats at megaplexes around the country
Recent Examples on the Web
And Jennifer Maas previews The Game Awards to explain how the event has grown into the Oscars for video games by blending kudos and ballyhoo.
—
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025
Reps also seemed to walk back Lawson’s earlier ballyhoo, floating the idea of projecting only conservation messages rather than symbols of corporate greed and ambition.
—Mark Hay, Popular Science, 10 Dec. 2025
The chefs have clearly helped Miami diners expand their palates, serving unusual dishes that could potentially make diners uneasy, like the ballyhoo, which Martinez said should return to the menu once the season starts in a few weeks.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
The whole 50th ballyhoo led up to an all-star three-plus hour anniversary show that premiered Sunday (naturally), February 16.
—Rance Collins, IndieWire, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballyhoo
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Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025
Reps also seemed to walk back Lawson’s earlier ballyhoo, floating the idea of projecting only conservation messages rather than symbols of corporate greed and ambition.
—Mark Hay, Popular Science, 10 Dec. 2025
The chefs have clearly helped Miami diners expand their palates, serving unusual dishes that could potentially make diners uneasy, like the ballyhoo, which Martinez said should return to the menu once the season starts in a few weeks.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
The whole 50th ballyhoo led up to an all-star three-plus hour anniversary show that premiered Sunday (naturally), February 16.
—Rance Collins, IndieWire, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballyhoo
Cite this Entry
“Ballyhoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballyhoo. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ballyhoo
noun
bal·ly·hoo
ˈbal-ē-ˌhü
: extravagant statements and claims made for publicity
ballyhoo
verb
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