buzz

[ buhz ]

noun

1. a low, vibrating, humming sound, as of bees, machinery, or people talking.
2. Informal. a rumor or report:

   There's a buzz going around that he'll soon be fired.

3. Informal. a phone call:

   When I find out, I'll give you a buzz.

4. Slang.
   1. a feeling of intense enthusiasm, interest, excitement, or exhilaration: Their ads are generating plenty of buzz.

      I get a terrific buzz from those Pacific sunsets.

      Their ads are generating plenty of buzz.

   2. a feeling of slight intoxication or overstimulation from liquor or drugs:

      Too much caffeine gives me a buzz.

5. buzzcut ( def ).

verb (used without object)

1. to make a low, vibrating, humming sound.
2. to speak or murmur with such a sound.
3. to be filled with the sound of buzzing or whispering:

   The room buzzed.

4. to whisper; gossip:

   Everyone is buzzing about the scandal.

5. to move busily from place to place.
6. Slang. to go; leave (usually followed by off or along ): Tell him to buzz off and leave me alone.

   I'll buzz along now.

   Tell him to buzz off and leave me alone.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a buzzing sound with:

   The fly buzzed its wings.

2. to tell or spread (a rumor, gossip, etc.) secretively.
3. to signal or summon with a buzzer:

   He buzzed his assistant.

4. Informal. to make a phone call to.
5. Aeronautics.
   1. to fly a plane very low over:

      to buzz a field.

   2. to signal or greet (someone) by flying a plane low and slowing the motor spasmodically.

buzz

/ bʌz /

noun

1. a rapidly vibrating humming sound, as that of a prolonged z or of a bee in flight
2. a low sound, as of many voices in conversation
3. a rumour; report; gossip
4. informal.
   a telephone call

   I'll give you a buzz

5. slang.
   1. a pleasant sensation, as from a drug such as cannabis
   2. a sense of excitement; kick

verb

1. intr to make a vibrating sound like that of a prolonged z
2. intr to talk or gossip with an air of excitement or urgency

   the town buzzed with the news

3. tr to utter or spread (a rumour)
4. introften foll byabout to move around quickly and busily; bustle
5. tr to signal or summon with a buzzer
6. informal.
   tr to call by telephone
7. informal.
   tr
   1. to fly an aircraft very low over (an object)

      to buzz a ship

   2. to fly an aircraft very close to or across the path of (another aircraft), esp to warn or intimidate
8. tr (esp of insects) to make a buzzing sound with (wings, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈbuzzing, nounadjective

Other Words From

• buzz·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of buzz¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English busse; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of buzz¹

C16: of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have / get a buzz on, Slang. to be slightly intoxicated:

   After a few beers they all had a buzz on.

Example Sentences

“September 5,” which has earned strong buzz since its back-to-back premieres at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, has only become more timely in the wake of last year’s Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

That theme — later orchestrated with a buzzing hive of strings, solo clarinet, piano and percussion — became the soul of the whole score.

From Los Angeles Times

A plain-spoken farmer and Montana native who famously lost three of his fingers in a childhood meat-grinding accident, his buzz cut and ample belly make him no one’s idea of a slick, poll-tested politician.

From Los Angeles Times

Fuelled by a social media buzz and celebrity users including Elon Musk, the drug has since been flying off pharmacy shelves around the world.

From BBC

But this time was different, closing the gap on those 30 passing years like two hands clapped together, with a lot of joy and pain trapped inside, like a buzzing fly.

From Salon

Related Words

• news
• rumble
• rumor
• whisper