noun
hype
hyp
noun
1
Exaggerated promotion or buzz around something, often overselling how good it really is.
"Critics said the movie never lived up to the hype."
"There was so much hype around the new phone before launch."
verb
1
To promote something heavily, often exaggerating its qualities.
"The label hyped the album for months before release."
adjective
1
Informal: excited or thrilled about something.
"I'm so hype for the concert tonight!"
How to Use Hype
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLoud, often overblown promotion — or, in slang, being excited.
Common mistake
As a noun, hype is usually uncountable — avoid "a hype" or "hypes" in standard writing.
When to use it
The adjective sense ("I'm hype") is informal slang, common in speech and social media.
Common pairings
hype something up
live up to the hype
so hype
Word Forms
more hype comparative, hyped past tense, hypes plural, hypes singular, most hype superlative
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Critics said the movie never lived up to the _____.
Etymology
A clipped, shortened form of "hyperbole."