What Does ‘Brouhaha’ Mean, Exactly? Everything To Know About This Wildly Theatrical Word ...Saudi Arabia

A neighborhood meeting erupts into an argument over parking spaces. A celebrity makes an offhand remark that sends social media into a frenzy. Someone brings an unexpected guest to a wedding, and suddenly everyone has an opinion. What do these situations have in common? They’ve all got the makings of a good old-fashioned brouhaha.It’s a wonderfully theatrical word for the kind of commotion that can turn a relatively small incident into the talk of the town. Even saying it aloud sounds a little like people arguing over one another.But what exactly does brouhaha mean, where did this unusual word come from, and how do you use it correctly? Here’s everything you need to know.Related: Equanimity: Meaning, Benefits, How To Cultivate, Expert Says

What Does ‘Brouhaha’ Mean?

Brouhaha means a noisy commotion, uproar or fuss, especially one involving public excitement, disagreement or confusion. It’s often used when people are making a bigger deal out of something than the situation seems to warrant, although a brouhaha doesn’t necessarily have to be about something trivial.

The Cambridge Dictionary describes it as a lot of noise or angry complaining about something.

For example, if a school announces a controversial new rule and parents begin arguing about it at a meeting, the resulting uproar might be described as a brouhaha.

The word usually has a slightly humorous or dismissive tone. Calling something a brouhaha can suggest that the reaction has become more dramatic than necessary.Related: 150 Big Words To Sound Smart (With Meanings)

How Do You Pronounce ‘Brouhaha’?

Brouhaha is pronounced BROO-hah-hah, with the main emphasis on the first syllable.

The Cambridge Dictionary’s pronunciation guide gives the pronunciation as /ˈbruː.hɑː.hɑː/.

The word has three syllables:

BROO — Rhymes with “blue.” hah — Sounds like the first syllable of “haha.” hah — Repeats the same sound.

Although its spelling might look intimidating at first, the pronunciation is fairly straightforward once you’ve heard it. And yes, it really does sound a little like laughter. That’s part of what makes the word so memorable.

Where Does the Word ‘Brouhaha’ Come From?

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Brouhaha entered English from French in the late 19th century, although the word’s earlier history is less certain.

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, the English word dates to the late 1800s and was probably formed in imitation of a sound.

French usage goes back much further.

One intriguing explanation connects the word to theatrical performances in which characters representing the devil shouted something resembling “brou, ha, ha!”

Another proposed origin links it to the Hebrew phrase barukh habba, meaning “blessed is the one who comes.”

The French Academy’s dictionary discusses this possible Hebrew connection, while the Online Etymology Dictionary also records the theatrical explanation. Neither proposed origin should be treated as definitively established.

What is clear is that the word has been associated with noise and commotion for centuries, making its modern meaning especially appropriate.Related: 120 Funny Work Quotes To Make the Daily Grind Enjoyable

How Do You Use ‘Brouhaha’ in a Sentence?

Brouhaha is a noun, and it’s commonly used to describe the reaction surrounding a disagreement, controversy or unexpected event.

Here are several examples:

“The mayor’s proposal to eliminate downtown parking sparked a brouhaha among local business owners.” “There was quite a brouhaha when the restaurant announced it was changing its famous recipe.” “The celebrity’s surprise appearance caused a brouhaha outside the theater.” “Despite all the brouhaha surrounding the announcement, very little actually changed.” “The family reunion turned into a brouhaha when two relatives began arguing about the seating arrangements.”

Notice that the word can describe anything from a noisy gathering to a public controversy.

It doesn’t always mean people are physically shouting. A heated online argument or an intense media reaction can also qualify.

Is ‘Brouhaha’ a Positive or Negative Word?

Brouhaha usually carries a mildly negative meaning because it suggests confusion, disagreement or unnecessary fuss. However, its tone is often more playful than harsh.

Describing a heated argument as a brouhaha can make the situation sound a little ridiculous rather than genuinely threatening.

For instance, a brouhaha over a missing office coffee mug sounds relatively harmless. A serious confrontation involving violence would usually call for a more direct description.

The word can occasionally describe noisy excitement without strong disapproval, but it most often suggests that people are getting worked up about something.

Context makes the difference.

What’s the Difference Between a Brouhaha and a Kerfuffle?

Brouhaha and kerfuffle are close synonyms, but they don’t always suggest exactly the same situation.

A brouhaha often involves considerable noise, public attention or widespread disagreement. A kerfuffle typically describes a smaller disturbance, argument or fuss.

For example, a disagreement between two coworkers over the office thermostat might be called a kerfuffle.

If the disagreement somehow leads to a company-wide argument, an emergency meeting and dozens of angry emails, it might qualify as a brouhaha.

Both words have a slightly humorous quality, and their meanings overlap considerably.

As language columnist Merrill Perlman discusses in the Columbia Journalism Review, the two words have long competed as colorful ways to describe public commotion.Related: What Is the Fear of Long Words Called?

What Are Some Synonyms for ‘Brouhaha’?

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English has no shortage of entertaining words for a commotion. Some are nearly interchangeable with brouhaha, while others suggest a slightly different kind of disturbance.

1. Hullabaloo

A noisy fuss or uproar, often over something relatively unimportant.

2. Kerfuffle

A disturbance or disagreement, usually on a smaller scale.

3. Hubbub

A confused mixture of noise, voices or activity.

4. Ruckus

A noisy disturbance, often involving an argument or disruptive behavior.

5. Uproar

A strong reaction involving loud protests, anger or excitement.

6. Commotion

A state of noisy confusion or excitement.

7. Fracas

A noisy quarrel or disturbance that may involve a physical confrontation.

8. To-do

An informal expression for a fuss or commotion, especially one involving more attention than seems necessary.

9. Furor

An intense public reaction, usually involving widespread anger or controversy.

10. Hoopla

Excitement, publicity or commotion surrounding an event, sometimes suggesting excessive promotion.

Although all these words can describe a disturbance, brouhaha is particularly useful when you want to emphasize the fuss surrounding an event rather than the event itself.

What Is the Plural of ‘Brouhaha’?

The plural of brouhaha is brouhahas.

For example: “The town council endured several brouhahas over its proposed zoning changes.”

However, the word is frequently used as an uncountable noun, especially in phrases such as “all the brouhaha” or “so much brouhaha.” Both constructions are acceptable.

You might describe one specific controversy as a brouhaha or refer more generally to the brouhaha surrounding an issue.

Is ‘Brouhaha’ Still Used Today?

Yes, although it has a slightly old-fashioned flavor.

Brouhaha appears in journalism, commentary and everyday conversation, particularly when someone wants to describe a controversy without making it sound too serious.

It’s especially useful for headlines and colorful storytelling because it communicates excitement, confusion and disagreement in a single word. Its playful sound also gives it a personality that more straightforward terms such as dispute or controversy don’t quite capture.

Of course, not every disagreement deserves such a dramatic label. Sometimes a simple argument is just an argument. But when a small disagreement grows into an elaborate public spectacle, brouhaha may be exactly the word you’re looking for.

Related: 50 Really Cool Words and What They Mean

This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.

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