fanfare

[fan-fair]

noun

1. a flourish or short air played on trumpets or the like.

2. an ostentatious display or flourish.

3. publicity or advertising.

fanfare

/ ˈfænfɛə /

noun

1. a flourish or short tune played on brass instruments, used as a military signal, at a ceremonial event, etc

2. an ostentatious flourish or display

Word History and Origins

Origin of fanfare¹

1760–70; < French, expressive word akin to fanfaron fanfaron.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fanfare¹

C17: from French, back formation from fanfarer to play a flourish on trumpets; see _fanfaronade

Example Sentences

With plenty of dignitaries present and fanfare fit for a king, the release cage was opened.

Read more on Literature

It was announced with great fanfare and hope: a memorial in the center of Orange County to honor veterans of the Vietnam War.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For Bruckner, rising melodic scales, humongous fanfares with trumpets and horns and Wagner tubas galore and repeated patterns over and over by an unstoppable orchestra serve as injections of musical endorphins.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Outlined in Project 2025, it has been moving along without much fanfare.

Read more on Salon

The audience stood and a fanfare played as the royals entered the concert hall to commemorate those who lost their lives in service, on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• pomp