noun

hubbub

HUB-ub/ˈhʌbʌb/

A confused mixture of noise and activity.

The crowd’s hubbub makes the man cover his ears.

A compact crowd talking loudly over one another, with overlapping conversational gestures and several visibly raised voices; a man at its center winces and covers his ears.

Etymology

The earliest recorded form, whobub, already meant “confused noise.” An Irish origin is generally believed, but the suggested links to an exclamation or battle cry remain uncertain.

In context

Storytime Haven387:13

the roar of many voices, the clang, clang, clang, as of fifty lusty smiths upon their anvils, and then at last the dwindling of the hubbub

Sir Nigel ⚔️🌟 | A Tale of Chivalry and Adventure | Arthur Conan Doyle

More examples

A hubbub rose from the busy market.
She waited for the hubbub to subside.
The café’s cheerful hubbub filled the room.

Forms

hubbub · hubbubs

Similar words

bustle: Bustle emphasizes busy movement; hubbub emphasizes confused noise as well.
din: Din is loud continuing noise; hubbub often consists of many overlapping voices and activities.