hubbub

noun

hub·​bub ˈhə-ˌbəb 

1

: noise, uproar

2

: confusion, turmoil

Synonyms

• ado
• alarums and excursions
• ballyhoo
• blather
• bluster
• bobbery
• bother
• bustle
• clatter
• clutter [chiefly dialect]
• coil
• commotion
• corroboree [Australian]
• disturbance
• do [chiefly dialect]
• foofaraw
• fun
• furor
• furore
• fuss
• helter-skelter
• hoo-ha
• hoo-hah
• hoopla
• hubble-bubble
• hullabaloo
• hurly
• hurly-burly
• hurricane
• hurry
• hurry-scurry
• hurry-skurry
• kerfuffle [chiefly British]
• moil
• pandemonium
• pother
• row
• ruckus
• ruction
• rumpus
• shindy
• splore [Scottish]
• squall
• stew
• stir
• storm
• to-do
• tumult
• turmoil
• uproar
• welter
• whirl
• williwaw
• zoo

Examples of hubbub in a Sentence

All the hubbub in the airport made it hard to hear the flight announcements.

the hubbub surrounding the film star

We went to the country to escape the hubbub of the city.

What's all the hubbub about?

Recent Examples on the Web

Arrange for Lounge Access A premium credit card, such as Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Platinum Card from American Express, or the Capital One Venture X card, will get you into a lounge that’s a respite from the hubbub of the terminal. —Kerry Spencer, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2025

All the hubbub about AI made Stanford economist and friend of Planet Money Erik Brynjolfsson one of the busiest people at the conference this year. —Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 7 Jan. 2025

In the midst of all the Summer Olympics hubbub, nine American figure skaters were awarded gold medals for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024

In the fall of 1958, syndicated Hollywood columnist William H. Mooring needed a vacation from the hubbub of Tinseltown. —Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps of Irish origin; akin to Scottish Gaelic ub ub, interjection of contempt

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hubbub

noun

hub·​bub ˈhəb-ˌəb 

: uproar, turmoil