noun
Common
hype
hyp
Hype (noun) means Exaggerated promotion or buzz around something, often overselling how good it really is. Example: “Don't believe all the hype; the game is only average.”
noun
1
Exaggerated promotion or buzz around something, often overselling how good it really is.
"Don't believe all the hype; the game is only average."
"Critics said the movie never lived up to the hype."
"There was so much hype around the new phone before launch."
verb
1
To promote something heavily, often exaggerating its qualities.
"Magazines hyped the new trainers as the most comfortable ever made."
"Stop hyping the match; it might turn out quite dull."
"The label hyped the album for months before release."
adjective
1
Informal: excited or thrilled about something.
"My friends are super hype about the party this weekend."
"The crowd got hype as soon as the band walked on."
"I'm so hype for the concert tonight!"
How to use hype
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLoud, often overblown promotion — or, in slang, being excited.
Common mistake
As a noun, hype is usually uncountable — avoid "a hype" or "hypes" in standard writing.
When to use it
The adjective sense ("I'm hype") is informal slang, common in speech and social media.
Common pairings
hype something up
live up to the hype
so hype
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Word forms
- Plural
- hypes
- Third person singular
- hypes
- Past tense
- hyped
- Comparative
- more hype
- Superlative
- most hype
Fill the gap
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Don't believe all the _____; the game is only average.
Etymology
A clipped, shortened form of "hyperbole."
Related words
Rhymes for hype
See all rhymes for hype →Frequently asked questions
What does “hype” mean?
The word “hype” means exaggerated promotion or buzz around something, often overselling how good it really is. In plain terms, loud, often overblown promotion — or, in slang, being excited.
How do you pronounce “hype”?
“Hype” is pronounced hyp (/haɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “hype” in a sentence?
Here is “hype” used in a sentence: “Critics said the movie never lived up to the hype.”
What part of speech is “hype”?
Depending on how it is used, “hype” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Is “hype” a common word?
“Hype” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hype” have?
“Hype” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: exaggerated promotion or buzz around something, often overselling how good it really is.
Is hype a negative word?
As a noun, hype usually carries a sceptical edge: it means exaggerated promotion or buzz that oversells how good something really is, so calling a product "all hype" implies it will not live up to its promotion. The informal adjective sense is positive, though, meaning excited or thrilled, as in "I'm hype for the weekend."
What is the difference between hype and buzz?
Buzz is general excitement and talk around something, and it can arise naturally. Hype is stronger and usually implies deliberate, exaggerated promotion that oversells the thing being talked about, which is why "hype" more often sounds critical.
Is it "hyped" or "hype" when you mean excited?
Both occur in informal English. "Hyped" (often "hyped up") is the more widely used form, while "hype" as an adjective — "I'm so hype right now" — is newer slang meaning excited or thrilled. Neither form suits formal writing.
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