hype

1 of 5

noun (1)

1
slang : a narcotics addict
2
slang : hypodermic

hype

2 of 5

verb (1)

hyped; hyping

transitive verb

1
: stimulate, enliven
usually used with up
hyping herself up for the game
2
hyped-up adjective

hype

3 of 5

verb (2)

hyped; hyping

transitive verb

1
2
: to promote or publicize extravagantly
hyping this fall's TV lineup

hype

4 of 5

noun (2)

1
2
: publicity
especially : promotional publicity of an extravagant or contrived kind
all the hype before the boxing match

hype

5 of 5

adjective

slang

Examples of hype in a Sentence

Noun (1) a derelict building that's now a shooting gallery for heroin hypes scattered inside the abandoned building were hypes and other signs of drug use Verb (1) the TV writers tried to hype interest in the fading soap opera with flashy new plotlines Verb (2) the auto company has been hyping its forthcoming line of hybrids for almost a year now Noun (2) the prelaunch hype for the new cell phone translated into phenomenal sales numbers on release day Adjective a couple of the tracks on the album feature some really hype vocals
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
As the state parks system headed into its centennial year in 2023, Parks and Wildlife officials began hyping the opening of Palo Pinto Mountains. Emily Brindley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 May 2024 Casey Bloys, chair and CEO, HBO and Max Content, eventually did hype the hell out of House of the Dragon — albeit 15 minutes in — with a trailer for the coming season. Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for hype 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hype.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by shortening & alteration from hypodermic

Verb (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1955, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hype was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near hype

Cite this Entry

“Hype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hype. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on hype

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!