Ballyhoo — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈba-lē-ˌhü/ bal·ly·hoo

Meaning & Definition of Ballyhoo

Ballyhoo (noun)

  1. a noisy attention-getting demonstration or talk
  2. flamboyant, exaggerated, or sensational promotion or publicity
  3. excited commotion

Ballyhoo (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a state of noisy, confused activity

    "it turned out that the ballyhoo was the result of a movie being filmed on the street"

    similar: ado, alarums and excursions, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle, clatter, clutter (chiefly dialect), coil, commotion, disturbance, do (chiefly dialect), foofaraw, fun, furor, furore, fuss, helter-skelter, hoo-ha, hoopla, hubble-bubble, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly, hurly-burly, hurricane, hurry, hurry-scurry, kerfuffle (chiefly British), moil, pandemonium, pother, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, splore (Scottish), squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do, tumult, turmoil, uproar, welter, whirl, williwaw, zoo
    related: cacophony, clamor, din, howl, hue and cry, noise, outcry, racket, roar, disorder, unrest, upheaval, eruption, flare-up, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst, brawl, fracas, fray, hassle, melee, scuffle, dither, fever, fret, lather, tizzy
    near: calm, hush, peace, quiet, quietude, rest, stillness, tranquility, order, orderliness

  2. information released to the media that is designed to gain public attention or support for a person, business, or cause

    "the usual ballyhoo intended to fill the seats at megaplexes around the country"

    similar: hype, publicity, puffery
    related: ad, advertisement, commercial, message, plug, promotion, spot, word, banner, bill, billboard, placard, poster, sign, advertising, marketing, propaganda, pronouncement, publication, release, broadcast, bulletin, dispatch, newscast, report, story, ink (slang), testimonial, write-up

Ballyhoo (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively

    "that reviewer always ballyhoos any book by one of his pet authors"

    similar: blow up, crack up, cry up, glorify, tout, trumpet, tub-thump
    related: acclaim, applaud, extol, laud, magnify, commend, compliment, eulogize, advance, advertise, announce, blare, blaze, blazon, boost, herald, offer, plug, promote, publicize, assert, aver, claim, declare, lay down, make out, proclaim, pronounce

  2. to provide publicity for

    "the TV networks usually spend the summer months ballyhooing their new fall shows"

    similar: boost, hype, pitch, plug, promote, publicize, talk up, tout, beat the drum (for)
    related: advertise, bark, merchandise, sell, push, acclaim, hail, laud, praise, endorse, plump (for), plunk (for), recommend, review, announce, broadcast, publish

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ballyhoo

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ballyhoo:

Chiefly dialect: clutter, do
Chiefly British: kerfuffle
Scottish: splore
ado, alarums and excursions, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle, clatter, coil, commotion, disturbance, foofaraw, fun, furor, furore, fuss, helter-skelter, hoo-ha, hoopla, hubble-bubble, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly, hurly-burly, hurricane, hurry, hurry-scurry, moil, pandemonium, pother, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do

Related Words for Ballyhoo

cacophony, clamor, din, howl, hue and cry, noise, outcry, racket, roar, disorder, unrest, upheaval, eruption, flare-up, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst, brawl, fracas, fray, hassle, melee, scuffle, dither, fever, fret, lather, tizzy, ad

Near Antonyms of Ballyhoo

calm, hush, peace, quiet, quietude, rest, stillness, tranquility, order, orderliness

Word Forms of Ballyhoo

Inflections: ballyhoos

Derived words: ballyhoo (transitive verb)

Origin & Etymology of Ballyhoo

origin unknown

First known use: 1868

Frequently Asked Questions about Ballyhoo

What does "Ballyhoo" mean?

"Ballyhoo" means a noisy attention-getting demonstration or talk. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a noisy attention-getting demonstration or talk. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ballyhoo"?

Other words for "Ballyhoo" include ado, alarums and excursions, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle and clatter. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ballyhoo" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ballyhoo"?

There are 161 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ballyhoo". Common alternatives include ado, alarums and excursions, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle, clatter, clutter and coil.

How do you use "Ballyhoo" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ballyhoo" in a sentence: "it turned out that the ballyhoo was the result of a movie being filmed on the street"; "the usual ballyhoo intended to fill the seats at megaplexes around the country"; "that reviewer always ballyhoos any book by one of his pet authors".

Is "Ballyhoo" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ballyhoo" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Ballyhoo"?

"Ballyhoo" is pronounced /ˈba-lē-ˌhü/ and divided into syllables as bal·ly·hoo.

What is the origin of the word "Ballyhoo"?

"Ballyhoo" comes from origin unknown. First known use: 1868.

What is another word for "Ballyhoo" meaning "a state of noisy, confused activity"?

When "Ballyhoo" (noun) means a state of noisy, confused activity, synonyms include ado, alarums and excursions, blather, bluster, bobbery and bother.