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

He has a monkish buzz cut, a mustache and a healthy stubble.

From Salon

Sleep Token - who formed in 2016 - are known for performing in masks to keep their identities hidden, and have created a buzz in particular.

From BBC

He has a similar aw-shucks, genial manner — easy to laugh and quick to offer a cup of tea — that belies the strange hive of imagery buzzing inside his head.

From Los Angeles Times

The buzzing sound of UAVs has been ubiquitous in Gaza since 2006, and drones are called zenana, an Arabic word referring to the sound using the slang term for a nagging wife.

From Salon

In the skies above the Ukrainian capital, the buzz of drones is the stuff of urban nightmares.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• news
• rumble
• rumor
• whisper