ballyhoo

[ noun bal-ee-hoo; verb bal-ee-hoo, bal-ee-hoo ]

noun

, plural bal·ly·hoos.

1. a clamorous and vigorous attempt to win customers or advance any cause; blatant advertising or publicity.

   Synonyms: hype, fanfare, hoopla, buildup

2. clamor or outcry.
3. a halfbeak, Hemiramphus brasiliensis, inhabiting both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

verb (used with or without object)

, bal·ly·hooed, bal·ly·hoo·ing.

1. to advertise or push by ballyhoo.

ballyhoo

/ ˌbælɪˈhuː /

noun

1. a noisy, confused, or nonsensical situation or uproar
2. sensational or blatant advertising or publicity

verb

1. tr to advertise or publicize by sensational or blatant methods

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballyhoo¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballyhoo¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

But nothing has come of the ballyhooed cap or penalties.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid Dead & Company’s ballyhooed Las Vegas residency, John Mayer and Bob Weir discuss the show’s beginnings and its future.

From Los Angeles Times

This is the only road game in a stretch of four of five at home for San Francisco — but the week before what will be a highly ballyhooed rematch against the Chiefs.

From Seattle Times

Shares in the carmaker are down in premarket trading on Monday after the company announced further cost cuts and a recall of its ballyhooed Cybertruck model over the past few days.

From New York Times

In some ways, it’s hard to believe it’s been six years since Pearl Jam last played Seattle, when their ballyhooed Home Shows drummed up more than $11 million for local homelessness organizations.

From Seattle Times