fanfare

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fanfare' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the loud, festive music played at a special event, such as a parade or the entrance of a prominent person. For example, "The mayor's entrance was accompanied by a fanfare of trumpets and drums."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With much fanfare, Palmer announcing his official position on the carbon repeal on Wednesday night, ahead of his first meeting with Tony Abbott on Thursday.

The Guardian

For as long as its trumpets deliver their annual fanfare of colour among the headstones of past generations of parishioners, they will give its creator a special kind of immortality.

The Guardian

The 1985 Bears were bona fide pop cultural icons – punky QB Jim McMahon would join the show later that season ahead of Super Bowl while Walter Payton and Mike Ditka also made appearances – yet none came with the fanfare of Chicago's 335lb defensive tackle and occasional short-yardage runner.

The Guardian - Sport

Half the complaints were about its BT Sport channels which launched amid much fanfare on 1 August, in time for the start of the football season.

The Guardian - Money

The treatment centres that were constructed and opened, sometimes with a big fanfare, in Sierra Leone in recent months are not full because the numbers of people becoming ill are dropping, albeit less quickly than happened in Liberia.

The Guardian

Both players' careers crept up on the national team with minimal fanfare.

The Guardian - Sport

At the start of May, it launched its latest Kate Moss collection with the usual PR fanfare and associated queues down Oxford Street.

The Guardian

Its six new classrooms and its new latrines, opened two years ago amid great fanfare including a roasted ox and the presence of many of the most important local dignitaries, stilled anxieties that the project was focusing too much on "software" – training and education – and not enough on the "hardware", such as buildings.

The Guardian

Much has been made of Margate's regeneration but, just a few miles along the coast, Ramsgate has been quietly reinventing itself, without fuss or fanfare.

The Guardian - Travel

But then, as he points out, he's had no almost contact with London's startup scene, with Silicon Roundabout, or Tech City; he's simply built up an incredibly successful, profitable business without any of the attendant posing and fanfare.

The Guardian - Tech

Not exactly a buzz title – Disney's Big Hero 6, now at £20.12m, certainly arrived with more fanfare – Home has remained in the UK top five for seven consecutive weeks, and added another £1m to its tally over the weekend.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context of your writing. If the focus is specifically on the musical aspect of an announcement, using "a flourish of trumpets" might be more appropriate than the general term "fanfare".

Common error

Avoid using "fanfare" to describe a quiet or understated event. The word inherently suggests a degree of public display and excitement, so it's unsuitable for situations where subtlety or privacy is desired.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fanfare" is a noun, often used to describe a showy or celebratory public display or announcement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English, aligning with its frequent appearance in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fanfare" serves as a noun to denote a showy or celebratory public display, often involving music, intended to generate excitement and attention. Ludwig AI affirms its proper use, aligning with its prevalence in news and media sources, as well as formal business contexts. While maintaining a neutral tone, "fanfare" effectively draws focus to significant events or launches. When looking for similar words, consider alternatives like "pomp and circumstance" or "grand entrance", depending on the intended emphasis. It's a potent tool for writers aiming to convey the spectacle of a moment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flourish of trumpets

Specifies the musical element of "fanfare", focusing on the triumphant sound of trumpets announcing an event or arrival.

showy introduction

Highlights the extravagant and attention-grabbing start of something, akin to the presentational aspect of "fanfare".

pomp and circumstance

Highlights the elaborate and formal display of ceremony and dignity, sharing the celebratory and formal nature of "fanfare".

ostentatious display

Emphasizes the showy and extravagant nature of a presentation, capturing the sense of spectacle often associated with "fanfare".

grand entrance

Emphasizes the impressiveness and spectacle of someone's arrival, akin to the celebratory aspect of "fanfare".

ceremonial introduction

Focuses on the formal and ritualistic aspect of an event's beginning, similar to "fanfare" but less focused on the auditory element.

high-profile launch

Describes a product or event introduction that receives considerable public attention and marketing effort, sharing the announcement aspect of "fanfare".

public celebration

Broadly indicates a festive event open to the public, encompassing the celebratory aspect of "fanfare" but lacking its specific musical or formal connotations.

media blitz

Focuses on intensive media coverage and promotion, similar to the publicity aspect of "fanfare".

big announcement

Simplifies the concept to a significant declaration, omitting the celebratory or ceremonial aspects of "fanfare".

FAQs

How can I use "fanfare" in a sentence?

You can use "fanfare" to describe a public display or celebration. For example, "The product launch was met with great fanfare" or "The arrival of the dignitary was preceded by a fanfare of trumpets".

What's a good synonym for "fanfare" that doesn't involve music?

If you want to avoid the musical connotation, consider using "ostentatious display", "pomp and circumstance" or "ceremonial introduction" to emphasize the spectacle and formality.

Is it correct to say an event occurred "without fanfare"?

Yes, saying something occurred "without fanfare" means it happened quietly or without much public attention. This is the opposite of the word's usual connotation.

What is the difference between "fanfare" and "hype"?

"Fanfare" typically describes a celebratory announcement or display, while "hype" refers to excessive or misleading publicity. While both can involve public attention, "hype" often carries a negative connotation of exaggeration.