hurray

USAGE SUMMARY

'hurray' is a real word that can be used in written English.
You can use it to express joy, excitement, or approval. For example: "We all cheered, 'Hurray!' when we heard the good news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm as happy as the next person to welcome new life (on to our wildly over-populated planet) – hurray for Paul McCartney and David Jason at 61, Pavarotti, 68 and George Lucas doing it at 69 – but my heart goes out to those children.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And now the field was strung out and – hurray!

Independent

The laughs are rarely sophisticated ("Hurray hurray it's #nationalconstipationday" or "I've just laughed and had a Wikileak"), but his giggling fans still enjoy them, and Carr makes a point of interacting with them.

Independent

But – hey, hurray and three cheers – something extraordinary was about to happen to the neighbourhood: a cinema, a brand new cinema, was going to open within five minutes' walk of our front door.

Independent

Reports suggest that the former England international is currently favouring a move to the TV studio over battling for a place in Moyes' side or moving abroad for a last hurray, with the ambition to secure a high-profile media reputation that can rival ones like his former teammate Gary Neville's.

Independent

A contemporary sailor's song was less enthusiastic: So, hurray for old Gitmo on Cuba's fair shore The home of the cockroach, the flea and the whore We'll sing of her praises and pray for the day We'll get the hell out of Guantánamo Bay.

The New Yorker

His freedom now cancelled, he leaves for the war, with a sarcastic envoi: "Hurray... for the supervision of the spirit!" "Dangling Man" is a respectful tribute to its models — Dostoyevsky and Rilke, plus Sartre, I believe — and at points it is handsomely written.

The New Yorker

And so we say hurray for George Bush, his collegues, his supporters.

The New Yorker

"Grant's Tomb, Riverside Church, G.W. Bridge, hurray!" He visited Elysian Fields, the site of the first organized baseball game, in 1846, and asked a lineman from the electric company to take some pictures of him with the city skyline in the background.

The New Yorker

When the verdict came, he shouted, "Hurray for the Great General Kim Jong-il".

The New York Times

"Hurray!" an old woman yells, waving her arms in the air.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hurray" to inject enthusiasm into your writing, particularly in informal contexts where a celebratory tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "hurray" in formal or academic writing, as it can sound unprofessional or overly enthusiastic. Opt for more neutral or sophisticated vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

"Hurray" primarily functions as an interjection, expressing joy, approval, or excitement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid word. It can also function as a verb, meaning to cheer with "hurray", though this is much less common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hurray" is a versatile expression primarily used as an interjection to convey joy, approval, or excitement. While Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, it's best suited for informal contexts. Its frequent appearance in news and media indicates its common usage, as seen in the Ludwig examples, but writers should exercise caution in formal or academic writing. For alternatives, consider "hooray" or "hurrah", while remembering that choosing the most appropriate word depends heavily on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hooray

A very common alternative, essentially interchangeable with "hurray".

Hurrah

Another common variant, similar in use and meaning but with a slightly more formal or traditional feel.

Hip hip hurray

A traditional call and response cheer expressing strong approval and celebration.

Yay

A more informal and enthusiastic expression of approval or joy.

Oorah

Primarily a US Marine Corps battle cry, expressing enthusiasm and esprit de corps.

Huzzah

An older, somewhat archaic expression of approval or celebration.

Bravo

Used to express approval or admiration, particularly for a performance.

Cheers

A versatile expression used for toasts, gratitude, or general well-wishing.

Rejoice

A more formal and often religiously connoted expression of great joy.

All right

An expression of approval or agreement, often used to signal readiness.

FAQs

How can I use "hurray" in a sentence?

"Hurray" is commonly used as an interjection to express joy or approval. For example, you might say, "The team won! Hurray!" It can also be used as a verb, though this is less common.

What is the difference between "hurray" and "hurrah"?

"Hurray" and "hurrah" are essentially interchangeable. Both are interjections used to express joy or approval. "Hurray" is simply a more common spelling variant.

Which is more formal, "hurray" or "hooray"?

Neither "hurray" nor "hooray" is particularly formal. Both are considered informal expressions of joy. For formal writing, it's best to avoid such interjections altogether.

What can I say instead of "hurray" to express excitement?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "yay", "bravo", or "cheers" to express excitement. The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.