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

Perhaps no platform has generated more buzz in 2020 than TikTok, which has been hailed as a “must-have” for a marketer’s toolkit if they want to appeal to not only Gen Zs, but a user that increasingly spans across demographics.

From Digiday

The Brooklyn native, born Bashar Barakah Jackson, was generating a noteworthy buzz shortly before several men broke into the Los Angeles home where he was staying and shot him to death, according to recent arrest reports, in February.

From Ozy

There’s been a lot of buzz around what helps the Instagram algorithm determine which posts deserve each user’s immediate attention and should be therefore placed at the top of the feed.

From Search Engine Watch

“Slack is a poor substitute for the sound of ringing typewriters, but nonetheless you start to see the beginnings of that kind of office buzz being recreated,” said Jarvis.

From Digiday

That could allow an elephant to get a buzz from eating a smaller amount of fermented fruit, Melin says.

From Science News For Students

The exposure and buzz from Short Term have raised her profile considerably.

From The Daily Beast

Few series arrive with the buzz of Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama.

From The Daily Beast

The Internet is like booze—a little bit gives you a pleasant buzz.

From The Daily Beast

All this buzz, the continued tabloid fascination with Hurley, is down—absurdly—to that dress.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps the smoke of all the early season buzz really did get in the Hollywood Foreign Press's eyes.

From The Daily Beast

Instead of the quiet, silent scholars, you would hear a loud and deafening buzz.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he pulled himself together with a sharp effort and entered into the conversation that had begun again to buzz round him.

From Project Gutenberg

To-day William Bellus really opened the school, for not till he had buried his face in his book did the general buzz begin.

From Project Gutenberg

The school buzz died away, and you could hear the ticking of my little clock.

From Project Gutenberg

The buzz of excitementespecially from the girls sidewhen Mr. Sharp had ceased speaking, could scarcely be controlled.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• news
• rumble
• rumor
• whisper