hype

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈhīp 

1

: publicity

especially : promotional publicity of an extravagant or contrived kind

all the hype before the boxing match

2

: deception, put-on

hype

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verb (1)

hyped; hyping

transitive verb

1

: to promote or publicize extravagantly

hyping this fall's TV lineup

2

: put on, deceive

hype

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verb (2)

hyped; hyping

transitive verb

1

: stimulate, enliven

—usually used with up

hyping herself up for the game

2

: increase

hyped-up

ˈhīpt-ˈəp 

adjective

hype

4 of 5

noun (2)

1

slang : a narcotics addict

2

slang : hypodermic

hype

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adjective

slang

: excellent, cool

Synonyms of hype

Noun (1)

• publicity
• advertisement
• advertising
• ad
• message
• commercial
• poster
• puffery

Verb (1)

• promote
• sell

Verb (2)

• increase
• boost
• accelerate
• expand
• augment

Noun (2)

• user
• addict

Adjective

• great
• excellent
• awesome
• wonderful
• terrific
• fantastic
• stellar
• superb
• prime
• fabulous
• beautiful
• lovely
• quality
• marvelous
• hot
• sensational
• fine

Examples of hype in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the prelaunch hype for the new cell phone translated into phenomenal sales numbers on release day

Verb (1)

the auto company has been hyping its forthcoming line of hybrids for almost a year now

Verb (2)

the TV writers tried to hype interest in the fading soap opera with flashy new plotlines

Noun (2)

a derelict building that's now a shooting gallery for heroin hypes

scattered inside the abandoned building were hypes and other signs of drug use

Adjective

a couple of the tracks on the album feature some really hype vocals

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fortunately, the new flagship is living up to the hype. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026

Cantwell appears poised to fill the void at right tackle left by Francis Mauigoa, who was also a five-star tackle who arrived with a lot of hype. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026

Verb

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards opened for entries this week and to hype up the 2026 competition, the top wildlife photography competition for not-so-serious animals has released outtakes from last year’s contest. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2026

Narayen’s exit is a stark reminder that, after years of hyping the technology, CEOs now must turn their AI rhetoric into results—or risk being shown the door. —Claire Zillman, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Also, the various injuries to Orioles hitters have Coby Mayo as a potential post-hype sleeper and Blaze Alexander as a middle infield option. —Jake Ciely, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026

Patrick Queen and Justin Madubuike looked like classic post-hype breakout candidates. —Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

by shortening & alteration from hypodermic

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1955, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (1)

circa 1931, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1988, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hype

• gripe
• lipe
• pipe
• ripe
• sipe
• skype
• snipe
• stipe
• stripe
• strype
• swipe
• tripe