hullabaloo

American  

[huhl-uh-buh-loo] / ˈhʌl ə bəˌlu /

noun

hullabaloos plural

1. a clamorous noise or disturbance; uproar.

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hullabaloo British  

/ ˌhʌləbəˈluː /

noun

1. loud confused noise, esp of protest; commotion

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Usage

What does hullabaloo mean? A hullabaloo is an uproar or a noisy commotion, especially the sound of a bunch of people shouting in protest about something. A hullabaloo doesn’t have to be literally noisy—the word can also be used to refer to all the talk and commentary surrounding a controversy, such as on social media. Because hullabaloo sounds a little silly, it’s often used to be funny. Example: There was a big hullabaloo at the parents’ meeting when it was announced that brownies wouldn’t be allowed at the bake sale.

Etymology

Origin of hullabaloo

1750–60; apparently variant of haloobaloo, rhyming compound based on Scots baloo lullaby

Explanation

Hullabaloo is a lovely term for a fuss or commotion, usually over something of little or no importance, like a celebrity's new hair style. Save hullabaloo for the trivial fuss. Anything of real importance — a war, a murder, for example — merits a more serious term like "disturbance" or "outcry." Hullabaloo allegedly comes from the sound of lots of people saying "Hullo!" Hullo!" In other words, it's an onomatopoeic word, that is to say it sounds like its meaning, like hiss or tick tock or oink. Curious fact: there's no plural to hullabaloo: hullabaloos is not a word.

Example Sentences

The hullabaloo over the power of the latest U.S. frontier AI models also reinforces the case for withholding AI building blocks from an adversary.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

For all the hullabaloo, the markets aren’t reacting much differently.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

But as I observed then, hullabaloo over “milestone” numbers is typically misplaced.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

But no matter how obnoxious all of the hullabaloo was, it was a blessing in disguise.

From Salon • Jun. 21, 2025

My muddled head did not register the great hullabaloo at first, but then my ears awoke.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson