ballyhoo

UK: /ˌbæliˈhuː/

US: /ˈbæliˌhu/

US: (n. bal′ē ho̅o̅′; v. bal′ē ho̅o̅′, bal′ē ho̅o̅′)

Inflections of 'ballyhoo' (n): npl: ballyhoos

Inflections of 'ballyhoo' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

ballyhoos

v 3rd person singular

ballyhooing

v pres p

ballyhooed

v past

ballyhooed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

bal•ly•hoo /ˈbæliˌhu/   n. [uncountable]

1. exaggerated claims or statements, as in advertising or publicity;
   much to-do.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bal•ly•hoo  (n. bal′ē ho̅o̅′;v. bal′ē ho̅o̅′, bal′ē ho̅o̅′), n., pl. -hoos, v., -hooed, -hoo•ing. 
n. 

1. a clamorous and vigorous attempt to win customers or advance any cause;
   blatant advertising or publicity.
2. clamor or outcry.
3. a halfbeak, Hemiramphus brasiliensis, inhabiting both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

v.t., v.i. 

4. to advertise or push by ballyhoo.

• of uncertain origin, originally 1830–40, American.

Synonyms

• 1. buildup, hoopla, fanfare; hype.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ballyhoo / ˌbælɪˈhuː/ noun

1. a noisy, confused, or nonsensical situation or uproar
2. sensational or blatant advertising or publicity

verb ( -hoos, -hooing, -hooed)

1. (transitive) to advertise or publicize by sensational or blatant methods

Etymology: 19th Century: of uncertain origin