buzz

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A continuous humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.
2. (countable, uncountable) A whisper.
3. (countable, uncountable) The audible friction of voiced consonants.
4. (countable, informal, uncountable) A rush or feeling of energy or excitement; a feeling of slight intoxication.
5. (countable, informal, uncountable) A telephone call or e-mail.
6. (countable, informal, uncountable) Major topic of conversation; widespread rumor; information spread behind the scenes.
7. (uncountable) Synonym of fizz-buzz (“counting game”).

Verb

1. (intransitive) To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.
2. (broadly, intransitive) To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.
3. (intransitive) To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.
4. (intransitive) To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.
5. (colloquial) To show a high level of activity and haste, energization or excitement, to be busy as a bee in one’s actions but perhaps mentally charged.
6. (transitive) To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an undertone; to spread, as a report, by whispers or secretly.
7. (transitive) To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice.
8. To fly at high speed and at a very low altitude over a specified area, as to make a surprise pass.
9. (transitive) To cut (the hair) in a close-cropped military style, or buzzcut.
10. (transitive) To throw swiftly.
11. (archaic, transitive) To drink to the bottom.
12. (transitive) To communicate with (a person) by means of a buzzer.

Synonyms

hum

drone

whirr

whir

ring

💍

whiz

whizz

murmur

rumour

roar

noise

zoom

buzzing

sound

🔉

rumble

purr

bombinate

seethe

boom

💥

vibrate

hiss

senseless gossip

bombination

bumble

groundless news

unfounded news

rattle

whistle

peal

clatter

thunder

🌩️

whisper

bombilate

rustle

jingle

beep

slander

dirt

reverberate

bombilation

hooter

hoot

crawl

hoarse

commotion

circle

⭕

hailer

growl

comment

resonance

Translations

summen

bourdonner

brummen

zumbar

ronzare

surren

bourdonnement

brusio

zoemen

zumbir

gonzen

brommen

ronzio

ronronner

razen

😡

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bʌz/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: *bussen

Cognate with Middle English: bunning

Cognate with Middle English: hossing

In summary

From Middle English *bussen (suggested by Middle English bussyng (“buzzing”)), of onomatopoeic origin. Cognate with Scots bizz (“to buzz”). Compare Middle English bunning (“buzzing”), Middle English hossing (“buzzing”), Middle English bissen (“to hush”).