Hype is the buzz and excitement around a film, gadget or place; the verb hype (up) means to talk something up so that everyone looks forward to it and wants to try it. The word often carries irony: more noise than substance. In conversation and IELTS Speaking, a lot of hype sounds natural, while in an essay, media attention or publicity is better.
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a lot of hype around/about + thing; hype (up) + thing; live up to the hype; overhyped
- Everyone was hyping up that series, but I gave up after two episodes.
- The new burger place totally lives up to the hype, go this weekend.
- There's so much hype around this phone, I just want to try it myself.
What changed
First versionThere was a big hype around the new phone, but it's just okay.
RevisionThere was a lot of hype around the new phone, but it's just okay.
In English, hype is uncountable, like information or advice, so it doesn't take a, and a big hype sounds wrong. Say a lot of hype or so much hype instead.
Something that has been praised too much is overhyped: Honestly, that café is overhyped. And someone who can't wait for an event is hyped: I'm so hyped for Friday's concert. That isn't buzz any more but happy anticipation.
Your turn
The trailer looked amazing and every blogger praised the film, but it turned out boring. It was all ___.
Show the answer
hype — The trailer and the bloggers promised a masterpiece, but the film turned out boring: the excitement was inflated, which is exactly hype, and all hype means nothing but buzz. Lore is the backstory of a world or character, and it has nothing to do with disappointed expectations.
Text a friend about a film, gadget or place that everyone was talking about. Say whether it lived up to expectations and why.
Everyone was hyping up that new ramen bar, and it really lived up to the hype: the broth was amazing.
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