fanfare

[ fan-fair ]

noun

1. a flourish or short air played on trumpets or the like.
2. an ostentatious display or flourish.
3. publicity or advertising.

fanfare

/ ˈfænfɛə /

noun

1. a flourish or short tune played on brass instruments, used as a military signal, at a ceremonial event, etc
2. an ostentatious flourish or display

Word History and Origins

Origin of fanfare¹

1760–70; < French, expressive word akin to fanfaron fanfaron.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fanfare¹

C17: from French, back formation from fanfarer to play a flourish on trumpets; see fanfaronade

Example Sentences

On November 21, 1959, the Soviet exhibition opened to great fanfare.

From MIT Technology Review

Schumer and McConnell have yet to agree on the power-balance agreement that typically comes without fanfare at the start of every session.

From Time

Yet the news was conveyed with little fanfare or preparation for the network’s on-air staff.

From Washington Post

A major land exchange that was announced to great fanfare in 1998 is instructive.

From ProPublica

The news loomed over an otherwise productive week for the Wizards in which they drafted a promising young player in Deni Avdija and re-signed their prized free agent forward, Davis Bertans, with little fanfare.

From Washington Post

While the world fixated on Ukraine and Syria, a near-genocide ripped through central Africa, to little international fanfare.

From The Daily Beast

Yet few have done so with as much fanfare, star power, and consistency as the New York City Ballet.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, my impostor account was gone, deleted by Twitter with no fanfare.

From The Daily Beast

When On the Water was released on Oct. 11, 2011, it received positive reviews, but little fanfare.

From The Daily Beast

But really, all this fanfare seems more like a howl for Washington's attention and a ploy for PR.

From The Daily Beast

The fanfare sounds again, the buzz of conversation is stilled, the lights turned down, and darkness reigns in the auditorium.

From Project Gutenberg

At four oclock, to the minute, the fanfare sounds, and the crowd streams into the theatre.

From Project Gutenberg

There were a number of chickens on board and each rooster seemed obliged to salute the dawn with a fanfare of crowing.

From Project Gutenberg

The Herald now blows a fanfare and the officers march into the council ground with the colors and the color guard.

From Project Gutenberg

At the sound of a fanfare of trumpets I was to go into the theatre preceded by a line of pages, and accompanied by my husband.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pomp