fanfare

American  

[fan-fair] / ˈfæn fɛər /

noun

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

2. an ostentatious display or flourish.

3. publicity or advertising.

---

fanfare British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of fanfare

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

Example Sentences

After launching with fanfare, Iowa’s Center for Intellectual Freedom postponed its first classes last month, in part due to low enrollment; those classes have been delayed until spring.

From The Wall Street Journal

Seedance was launched to little fanfare in June 2025 but it is the second version that came eight months later that has caused a major stir.

From BBC

Mr. Pulte, however, announced last summer to much fanfare that lenders would be allowed to choose which score to use when underwriting mortgages.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Many American-born athletes compete for other nations with little fanfare - the 'New Cold War' climate between the US and China has changed the stakes," says Professor Yinan He of Lehigh University.

From BBC

Wildlight Entertainment, developers of fantasy shooter title "Highguard", which launched in January to great fanfare, on Wednesday announced layoffs from its small development team -- leaving only a "core group" to maintain the game.

From Barron's

Related Words

• pomp