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hype
1[ hahyp ]
/ haɪp /
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verb (used with object), hyped, hyp·ing.
to stimulate, excite, or agitate (usually followed by up): She was hyped up at the thought of owning her own car.
to create interest in by flamboyant or dramatic methods; promote or publicize showily: a promoter who knows how to hype a prizefight.
to intensify (advertising, promotion, or publicity) by ingenious or questionable claims, methods, etc. (usually followed by up).
noun
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of hype
1An Americanism dating back to 1820–30, in sense “to trick, swindle,” of uncertain origin; subsequent senses perhaps by reanalysis as a shortening of hyperbole
Words nearby hype
hypalgesia, hypallage, hypanthium, hypaspist, Hypatia, hype, hypebeast, hyped-up, hype man, hype person, hyper
Other definitions for hype (2 of 2)
hype2
[ hahyp ]
/ haɪp /
noun Slang.
Disparaging and Offensive. a person who is addicted to a drug, especially one who uses a hypodermic needle.
Origin of hype
2First recorded in 1920–25; shortening of hypodermic; cf. hypo1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use hype in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for hype (1 of 2)
hype1
/ (haɪp) slang /
noun
a hypodermic needle or injection
verb
(intr usually foll by up) to inject oneself with a drug
(tr) to stimulate artificially or excite
Word Origin for hype
C20: shortened from hypodermic
British Dictionary definitions for hype (2 of 2)
hype2
/ (haɪp) /
noun
a deception or racket
intensive or exaggerated publicity or sales promotionmedia hype
the person or thing so publicized
verb (tr)
to market or promote (a product) using exaggerated or intensive publicity
to falsify or rig (something)
(in the pop-music business) to buy (copies of a particular record) in such quantity as to increase its ratings in the charts
Derived forms of hype
hyper, nounhyping, nounWord Origin for hype
C20: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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