great fanfare
3
4.3
- noun
:
gran alharaca
- The new park was opened to great fanfare, attracting hundreds of visitors on its first day.
Examples
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In 1875, the Anthropological Museum (now the Museo Nacional de Etnología) was opened to great fanfare in Madrid.
Academic text (2002) -
In May 2001, the Bush White House released with great fanfare a twenty-year plan for the United States energy economy.
Academic text (2002) -
To great fanfare, de la Ra announced that he would give his "life for this plan."
Academic text (2001) -
In March 2016 the Russians suddenly announced with a great fanfare that they were leaving Syria.
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Remember the past, when Apple launched the Apple A5X to great fanfare?
Blog text (22) -
Mother Jones released the two "full" videos of Romney with great fanfare.
Blog text (6) -
Not too long ago, Administrator Browner announced with great fanfare what is called the Common Sense Initiative.
Academic text (1995) -
Display and signage were quickly put in place, and the room opened to great fanfare on the opening day of the 2013-2014 school year.
Academic text (2014) -
Last night, ABC debuted their new singing talent show Duets to great fanfare.
Blog text (1) -
There has been great fanfare surrounding the 100-year anniversary of the shipwreck of the Titanic.
Academic text (2013)
Synonyms
26
7.6
Loud, exciting attention and talk around an event or product
21
7.6
A grand, showy display meant to impress people
17
5.1
A showy display meant to attract attention
7
7.9
A loud noisy fuss made by people, often during protests or celebrations
Antonyms
How Public
37
7.5
68
4.2
3
4.3
289
3.0
738
1.5
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'great' (large/significant) with 'fanfare' (a conspicuous display or publicity), so the meaning of a large or notable public display is directly and predictably compositional. There is no idiomatic shift or metaphorical leap here, and the adjective+noun pattern is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand the MWE.
Etymology
Great fanfare comes from the short, loud trumpet music played to announce an important person or event, so you can imagine trumpets and flags calling everyone's attention. That's why great fanfare now means 'a lot of public attention or ceremony'.