hype man
Americannoun
-
(in rap music) a supporting performer who energizes and engages the audience and punctuates the rapper’s lyrics with shouted interjections.
The show ran out of steam without a hype man to keep the crowd excited and the rapper on point.
-
an enthusiastic and vocal supporter or promoter of a person, group, or thing; booster.
His antics from the bench have made this rookie college basketball’s most recognizable hype man.
Etymology
Origin of hype man
First recorded in 2000–05
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I must have hesitated, because Joe, the sales representative, became my hype man: “Let’s do it,” he said.
From Slate ● Jun. 22, 2025
Same with Gillie Da King, who became the team’s unofficial hype man during the 2024 season.
From Salon ● Apr. 7, 2025
Bassist Vincent Price, drummer Ill Will and rhythm guitarist Juan of the Dead round out the lineup with Ice’s son, Little Ice, his middle child, the band’s hype man and backing vocalist since 2016.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2024
It also displays Ramsay’s softer, more encouraging side, seen on shows like “MasterChef Junior,” where he is more paternal hype man than shrieking despot.
From New York Times ● Jan. 27, 2024
Nate Radcliffe, a part-time employee and seemingly full-time hype man for the Langlois Market, is a big fan.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 3, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
