hype

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈhīp How to pronounce hype (audio)
Synonyms of hype
1
: publicity
especially : promotional publicity of an extravagant or contrived kind
all the hype before the boxing match
2
: deception, put-on

hype

2 of 5

verb (1)

hyped; hyping

transitive verb

1
: to promote or publicize extravagantly
hyping this fall's TV lineup
2
: put on, deceive

hype

3 of 5

verb (2)

hyped; hyping

transitive verb

1
: stimulate, enliven
—usually used with up
hyping herself up for the game
2
: increase
hyped-up
ˈhīpt-ˈəp How to pronounce hype (audio)
adjective

hype

4 of 5

noun (2)

1
slang : a narcotics addict
2
slang : hypodermic

hype

5 of 5

adjective

slang
: excellent, cool

Synonyms of hype

Relevance

Noun (1)

Verb (1)

Verb (2)

Noun (2)

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of hype in a Sentence

Noun (1) the prelaunch hype for the new cell phone translated into phenomenal sales numbers on release day Verb (1) the auto company has been hyping its forthcoming line of hybrids for almost a year now Verb (2) the TV writers tried to hype interest in the fading soap opera with flashy new plotlines Noun (2) a derelict building that's now a shooting gallery for heroin hypes scattered inside the abandoned building were hypes and other signs of drug use Adjective a couple of the tracks on the album feature some really hype vocals
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
No matter what the hype, candles, sonic devices, and bracelets don’t keep mosquitoes away. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 Obviously being the second pick in the draft there’s a ton of expectation and hype to go along with that. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
Verb
People have been hyping this Bar Five reunion for weeks. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 Is this citrusy ritual really the miracle elixir it’s hyped up to be? — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026
Adjective
The post-hype candidate had twice as many targets as Rob Gronkowski (six to three) and a touchdown. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2020 Patrick Queen and Justin Madubuike looked like classic post-hype breakout candidates. — Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for hype

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

by shortening & alteration from hypodermic

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1955, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (1)

circa 1931, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hype was in 1924

Rhymes for hype

See All Rhymes for hype

Browse Nearby Words

hypautomorphic
hype
hypebeast
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hype. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hype

Nglish: Translation of hype for Spanish Speakers

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