hype

1 of 5

noun (1)

1
slang : a narcotics addict
2
slang : hypodermic

hype

2 of 5

verb (1)

hyped; hyping

transitive verb

1
: stimulate, enliven
usually used with up
hyping herself up for the game
2
hyped-up adjective

hype

3 of 5

verb (2)

hyped; hyping

transitive verb

1
2
: to promote or publicize extravagantly
hyping this fall's TV lineup

hype

4 of 5

noun (2)

1
2
: publicity
especially : promotional publicity of an extravagant or contrived kind
all the hype before the boxing match

hype

5 of 5

adjective

slang

Examples of hype in a Sentence

Adjective a couple of the tracks on the album feature some really hype vocals
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
In the first video, her friends could be heard hyping her up as a jetski helped to power her into the air. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024 Reese's is trying to hype up the candy's newcomer status by launching a Legend vs. Newcomer campaign to go along with it. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2024 Helping to hype up Sunday’s women’s finals between Iowa and South Carolina was Iowa star Caitlin Clark, who broke all-time scoring records this season and who is headed to the WNBA draft. NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024 The just-for-the-cameras stunt was clearly meant to help hype the fight — as Paul was only wearing one glove — and Pump appeared to seriously, and immediately, regret agreeing to take the mighty blow. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024 Burton, Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara, who co-starred in the original, took the stage at Caesars Palace on Tuesday for Warner Bros.’ presentation to theater owners to hype the sequel’s undead delights. Brent Lang, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024 After years of hyping super intense workouts as the best way to exercise, fitfluencers have recently flipped the script. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 6 Apr. 2024 The company has hyped the X-Men (and the soon-to-appear Fantastic Four) as leaders of a new era for the firm’s cinematic and animated future. Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024 Doe Boy, Swae Lee, Zaytoven and Sonny Digital were among the thousands of people hyped to see Sosa and Mike Will reuniting in his comment section. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024
Noun
But there are also architects who feel that the current spate of VR products does not yet live up to the hype put forth by technologists. Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024 The funny bit about these Daytonas is that this is when the hype started. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024 Hyaluronic acid products have garnered cult status in the skincare community, and the hype seems to be justified — studies have backed the use of hyaluronic acid serums to hydrate the skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024 The hype surrounding Clark (championship title or no championship title) doesn’t have to stop. Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024 Overall, this lip oil is definitely worth the hype. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024 Although that confrontation was amicable, the backlash to mirror-neuron hype generally was not. Quanta Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024 Two rookies who have garnered national hype since last year’s NBA Draft squared off in Charlotte Wednesday night. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024 And many tech companies surge after going public as retail investors buy the hype, then take a haircut as interest fades. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hype.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by shortening & alteration from hypodermic

Verb (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1955, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hype was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near hype

Cite this Entry

“Hype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hype. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

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