hype
Pluralhypes (some meanings)
Pluralhypes (some meanings)
- 1Excited publicity and talk that build up interest in something, especially when they make exaggerated claims.
Despite months of hype, the album sold fewer copies than the band's last one.
Investors who bought into the hype around the startup lost most of their money.
UsageOften the hype: live up to the hype, believe the hype, not worth the hype. For amount, a lot of hype.
- 2To promote or advertise something heavily, building up public interest in it.
Promoters hype each fight as the bout of the century.
The device was heavily hyped as a breakthrough, but early users found it slow.
UsageOften passive: heavily hyped, hyped as a breakthrough. A hyped film has been promoted, but a hyped crowd is excited.
Similarpromote, tout, publicize, plug, advertise
Oppositedownplay
- 3Feeling excited and full of eager energy.
Everybody in the group chat is hype about the new season dropping Friday.
The crowd got hype the second the band walked onstage.
UsageHype for or about something, often after so or get. Many speakers say hyped instead: hyped for the weekend.
- 4To get someone excited and energized, or, usually followed by "up", to become worked up with excitement.
A good opening act knows how to hype the crowd up before the headliner comes on.
He gets so hyped up before a big trip that he barely sleeps the night before.
UsageUsually with up: hype the crowd up, get hyped up before a game.
Less common meanings
- 5Very good or impressive; cool.
The halftime show was hype, easily the best part of the night.
He dropped a hype mixtape that blew up online.
UsagePraises things, not people's feelings: a hype song, the show was hype. Said of a person, it usually means excited.
Similarcool, awesome, amazing, great, dope
Oppositelame
- 6Clipping of hypodermic needle.
Note
Like the full term, it can mean the needle alone or the whole syringe.
- 7A person who is addicted to drugs.
Every hype in the neighborhood knew which doctor would write a prescription.
The Mob enforced the No-“H” Law. They tortured pushers. They killed them. Local hypes copped in L.A. Local hypes rode the Heroin Highway.
2001, James Ellroy, The Cold Six ThousandNote
Here the addict is named after the needle, a slang figure of speech that now sounds dated. James Ellroy puts it to work in The Cold Six Thousand (2001), where local hypes ride the Heroin Highway.
- 8Alternative form of hipe.
- 9Alternative form of hipe.
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Practice
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Origin
Origin uncertain; possibly a shortening of hyperbole.