What does hubbub mean?
A hubbub is a loud mixture of sounds, voices, and activity, especially when a crowd becomes excited, agitated, or difficult to control. The word is vivid because it suggests not merely noise but confusion: individual sounds merge into an indistinct and often chaotic whole. It can describe a noisy moment in a theatre, a hubbub in the street, or the excitement surrounding an announcement or event. Although “hubbub” may imply disorder, it is not necessarily negative; a celebratory crowd can also create plenty of hubbub. In British and American English, the word is generally informal and is preferred in contexts where the lively, overwhelming character of the noise is important.
nounA loud, confused mixture of voices or sounds, especially one caused by a crowd or excited group of people. The word can also refer more generally to commotion or confused activity.
- A loud, confused mixture of voices or sounds.
- Commotion, excitement, or confused activity involving many people.
- A noisy, lively, and often chaotic event or gathering.
"A hubbub of excited voices filled the hall as the winner was announced."
"There was a sudden hubbub at the back of the theatre."
"The announcement caused a hubbub among the waiting crowd."
Usually used in the plural when referring to separate episodes or outbreaks of noise or commotion; singular is common for a single collective event.
"The event was marked by several noisy hubbubs throughout the evening."
A hubbub is the word for the moment when many people speak, shout, or move at once and the noise becomes impossible to separate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hubbub come from?
The first attested use of “hubbub” was in the early 16th century. Its precise origin is uncertain: it may have developed as an imitative expression for a confused or rumbling noise, but scholars have proposed several possible sources. The modern form and sense became established in English through repeated use, and the word now functions as a general noun for a loud, confused commotion.
How hubbub is actually used
The word is usually slightly informal and often conveys a sense of disorder or overwhelming excitement, though it can also describe a harmless burst of lively noise. It is common in British and American English.