hubbub

[ huhb-uhb ]

noun

1. a loud, confused noise, as of many voices:

   There was quite a hubbub in the auditorium after the announcement.

   Antonyms: quiet

2. tumult; uproar.

   Synonyms: confusion, disorder, disturbance

   Antonyms: calm

hubbub

/ ˈhʌbʌb /

noun

1. a confused noise of many voices
2. uproar

Word History and Origins

Origin of hubbub¹

First recorded in 1545–55; apparently of Irish origin; akin to Scots Gaelic cry ubub! (reduplication of ub! ) expressing aversion or contempt

Word History and Origins

Origin of hubbub¹

C16: probably from Irish hooboobbes; compare Scottish Gaelic ubub! an exclamation of contempt

Synonym Study

See noise.

Example Sentences

Free Chol Soo Lee, directed by Eugene Yi and Julie Ha, tells his story both during the movement and after, pointing out the ways that going to prison and becoming an unlikely icon affected Lee’s life when the hubbub faded.

From Vox

The noise cancellation mutes hubbub, and they’re comfortable enough for all-day wear.

From Outside Online

Had it been a carnivore, it would have been the biggest predator of the Triassic period—which explains all the hubbub around the discovery decades ago.

From Popular-Science

The sun will set in less than an hour and a hubbub will emerge from the ghost-town houses and farms.

From The Daily Beast

They also allow us to return to the workday hubbub with more than bragging rights.

From The Daily Beast

Has all the Twilight hubbub—the cultural obsession around it—given people an inaccurate sense of who you are as an actor?

From The Daily Beast

But as these athletes make such revelations, critics (and some supporters) say the hubbub is overblown.

From The Daily Beast

The hubbub is particularly disturbing because of this big un-secret that has not been much mentioned in this discussion.

From The Daily Beast

The whole room was in confusion and hubbub, during which Wright sat stock-still, quietly enduring without bowing to the storm.

From Project Gutenberg

The hubbub increased behind him; and several peace-officers of the Royal Household came up to apprehend the delinquent.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a hubbub around the fire that kept everybody from paying the least attention to "taps."

From Project Gutenberg

They listened intently and tried to distinguish voices and words in the hubbub, but were unsuccessful.

From Project Gutenberg

The noise of this hubbub on the outside, soon excited wild alarm and tumult within.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brouhaha
• clamor
• fuss
• hue and cry
• ruckus
• tumult
• uproar