hullabaloo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, somewhat old-fashioned or literary
Quick answer
What does “hullabaloo” mean?
A loud, confused noise, especially of protest or complaint.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A loud, confused noise, especially of protest or complaint.
A state of uproar, commotion, or excessive public excitement or fuss about something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more common in British English, but understood and used in American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it often carries a humorous or slightly dismissive tone, suggesting the fuss is overblown.
Frequency
Low-frequency in both. More likely found in writing (journalism, novels) than everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “hullabaloo” in a Sentence
There was a hullabaloo over [NOUN PHRASE]The hullabaloo about [NOUN PHRASE/ GERUND]to kick up/cause a hullabalooVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hullabaloo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They hullabalooed all night after the football match.
American English
- The fans hullabalooed outside the stadium.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally: 'The merger caused a real hullabaloo among the staff.'
Academic
Very rare. Considered too informal for most academic writing.
Everyday
Possible in storytelling or complaint: 'The neighbours kicked up a hullabaloo at 3 a.m.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hullabaloo”
- Misspelling: 'hullaballoo', 'hullabalo'. Using it in overly formal contexts. Incorrect preposition: 'hullabaloo of' (less common) instead of 'hullabaloo about/over'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and somewhat old-fashioned or playful. It is not suitable for formal reports or academic writing.
Rarely. Its primary use is as a noun. The verb form ('to hullabaloo') is non-standard and very uncommon.
They are very close synonyms. 'Hullabaloo' often implies a more chaotic, confused, or silly noise/fuss, while 'uproar' can sound slightly more intense or angry.
It originated in the mid-18th century, likely as a reduplication (repetition of sounds) of 'hullo' or related to the Scots 'hollo-balloo' (an old cry to attract attention).
A loud, confused noise, especially of protest or complaint.
Hullabaloo: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhʌləbəˈluː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhʌləbəˈluː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Kick up a hullabaloo”
- “What's all the hullabaloo?”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HULL (of a ship) where a crowd of people are shouting 'BA-LOO!' – creating a loud, silly commotion.
Conceptual Metaphor
PUBLIC DISCOURSE IS NOISE / A CONTROVERSY IS A STORM (of sound).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hullabaloo' CORRECTLY?