ballyhoo

[bal-ee-hoo, bal-ee-hoo, bal-ee-hoo]

noun

plural

ballyhoos 

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)

ballyhooed, ballyhooing 

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

In the clip, a young woman confronts him at one of his ballyhooed “debate” appearances on college campuses.

Read more on Salon

Both the city and the county continue testing ballyhooed artificial intelligence software to offer instant corrections to initial permit applications, with activation scheduled for this month.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The broadcast is being ballyhooed as historic, the first time a play has been aired live from Broadway.

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But could all this ballyhoo sap interest in his work?

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But nothing has come of the ballyhooed cap or penalties.

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