hype

¹

[ hahyp ]

verb (used with object)

, hyped, hyp·ing.

1. to stimulate, excite, or agitate (usually followed by up ):

   She was hyped up at the thought of owning her own car.

2. to create interest in by flamboyant or dramatic methods; promote or publicize showily:

   a promoter who knows how to hype a prizefight.

3. to intensify (advertising, promotion, or publicity) by ingenious or questionable claims, methods, etc. (usually followed by up ).
4. to trick; gull.

noun

1. exaggerated publicity; hoopla.
2. an ingenious or questionable claim, method, etc., used in advertising, promotion, or publicity to intensify the effect.
3. a swindle, deception, or trick.

hype

²

[ hahyp ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a hypodermic needle.
2. Disparaging and Offensive. a person who is addicted to a drug, especially one who uses a hypodermic needle.

hype

¹

/ haɪp /

noun

1. a deception or racket
2. intensive or exaggerated publicity or sales promotion

   media hype

3. the person or thing so publicized

verb

1. to market or promote (a product) using exaggerated or intensive publicity
2. to falsify or rig (something)
3. (in the pop-music business) to buy (copies of a particular record) in such quantity as to increase its ratings in the charts

hype

²

/ haɪp /

noun

1. a hypodermic needle or injection

verb

1. intrusually foll byup to inject oneself with a drug
2. tr to stimulate artificially or excite

Derived Forms

• ˈhyper, noun
• ˈhyping, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hype¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30, in sense “to trick, swindle,” of uncertain origin; subsequent senses perhaps by reanalysis as a shortening of hyperbole

Origin of hype²

First recorded in 1920–25; shortening of hypodermic; hypo ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hype¹

C20: of unknown origin

Origin of hype²

C20: shortened from hypodermic

Example Sentences

The fortunes of social media and crypto have become increasingly intertwined, as online hype has helped stoke interest in digital currencies.

From New York Times

Having seen the musical after being cast she said she "understood the hype".

From BBC

We’ll soon see if he’s great white hope or great white hype.

From Salon

The fight was living up to all the hype, with Serrano's warrior spirit winning over those fans who may not have already been invested in the chief support.

From BBC

“We know it kind of was the hype around us last year, but we’re approaching each game — regular season game or Cup game — as the same,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times