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

Noun (1)

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

Verb (1)

• promote
• sell

Verb (2)

• increase
• boost
• accelerate
• expand
• augment

Noun (2)

• user
• freak [slang]
• addict
• head
• junky

Adjective

• great
• excellent
• awesome
• wonderful
• terrific
• fantastic
• stellar
• fabulous
• beautiful
• superb
• lovely
• marvellous
• prime
• marvelous
• quality
• hot
• sensational
• fine
• famous
• cool [slang]

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

In what has been a strange season for Ferrari, its form swinging around the hype over Hamilton’s arrival to inevitable scrutiny, Leclerc’s magic lap for pole here will stand out as a moment to savor. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025

Lauter himself isn’t exactly pushing away the hype. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2025

Verb

The Dolphins have rookies hype up the crowd to start practices open to fans. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2025

The participants also hyped the fundraising effort on social media and around their towns. —Heather McRea, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025

Adjective

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

The post-hype candidate had twice as many targets as Rob Gronkowski (six to three) and a touchdown. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2020

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

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hype

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