hubbub

/ˈhʌbʌb/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhʌbʌb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhə-ˌbəb/ (ame, mw)

hubbub — noun

1. the messy, overlapping sound that fills a place when many people are talking, sh

1.名詞C1
釋義

the messy, overlapping sound that fills a place when many people are talking, shouting, or moving around together so that no single voice stands out.

例句

Cyrus could barely hear the waiter over the hubbub of the busy restaurant.

the hubbub of [crowded place]

A sudden hubbub broke out when the bus driver shouted at a customer.

a sudden hubbub broke out

同義詞
  • din

    similar everyday word; emphasises loud, unpleasant continuous noise rather than the mix of voices.

  • uproar

    stronger; suggests angry shouting or public outrage, not just busy chatter.

  • racket

    informal; often used by someone complaining about noise made by others.

  • clamour

    more formal; often implies many people demanding or protesting something.

反義詞
  • silence

    complete absence of sound.

  • hush

    a calm quietness, often after noise has stopped.

文法句型

a hubbub of [noise type]

the hubbub of [place]

用法筆記

Almost always preceded by 'a' or 'the' and tied to a place or group (the hubbub of the market, a hubbub of voices). Rarely used in the plural.

常見錯誤

❌There were many hubbubs in the hall.
✅There was a lot of hubbub in the hall.
💡'hubbub' is normally singular; use 'a lot of hubbub' or 'much hubbub' for quantity.

2. a lively atmosphere in a place or event where lots of exciting things are happen

2.名詞C1
釋義

a lively atmosphere in a place or event where lots of exciting things are happening at once — for example a wedding reception, a city centre at rush hour, or the run-up to a big festival.

例句

Camila loved escaping the hubbub of Tokyo for a quiet weekend in the mountains.

the hubbub of [city/place]

Amid the hubbub of the wedding, Folake quietly slipped outside to call her mother.

amid the hubbub of [event]

同義詞
  • commotion

    broader; can also suggest sudden disturbance, not just lively activity.

  • bustle

    very close; emphasises fast-moving people coming and going.

  • buzz

    informal; positive — suggests exciting energy and gossip around an event.

反義詞
  • calm

    peaceful absence of activity.

  • stillness

    literary; suggests nothing moving or happening.

文法句型

the hubbub of [event/place]

amid the hubbub

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense covers the whole busy atmosphere (people, movement, energy), not just the sound. Often used with prepositions 'of' or 'amid' rather than describing volume.

常見錯誤

❌The hubbub was 90 decibels.
✅The noise level was 90 decibels.
💡sense 2 describes activity, not a measurable sound level; switch to 'noise' or 'commotion' if you mean volume.