What's the Difference Between 'Hooray' and 'Hurray'?

In this blog post we look at when to use hooray and when to use hurray.

'Hooray' or 'Hurray'?

Hooray and hurray are both exclamations used to express excitement or joy, and they have been used for a long time in the English language.

"Hooray" first appeared in the mid-17th century, while "hurray" first appeared a century later, in the mid-18th century.

In terms of usage, "hooray" might be considered a more formal or literary version of the word, and it is more commonly used in written and spoken English.

"Hurray" is considered to be more informal and colloquial, and it is more commonly used in American English.

In reality, the terms are virtually the same and you can use them interchangeably.

In terms of etymology, both words are believed to have originated from the German word "hurra," which is also an exclamation of joy or triumph.

In summary, "hooray" and "hurray" are similar in meaning and usage, but "hooray" is considered to be slightly more formal and is more commonly used in written and spoken English, while "hurray" is more informal and is more commonly used in American English.

Here are some example sentences of the words "hurray" and "hooray" in context:

  • "Hurray! We won the game!" - In this sentence, "hurray" is used to express excitement and joy about winning a game.

  • "Hooray! We graduated with honors!" - In this sentence, "hooray" is used to express excitement and joy about graduating with honors.

  • "The audience shouted 'Hurray!' when the actors took their final bow." - In this sentence, "hurray" is used to express the excitement and joy of the audience. 

  • "The crowd erupted in cheers of 'Hooray!' as the champion was declared." - In this sentence, "hooray" is used to express the excitement and joy of the crowd.


Hooray or Hurray
Hooray or Hurray

Sources:

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/hooray#:~:text=Hooray%20and%20hurray%20are%20thought,used%20to%20shout%20in%20celebration