buzz
/bʌs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A low, continuous humming or vibrating sound: The sound made by an insect like a bee or by a machine.
- A feeling of excitement or activity: A lively atmosphere or a sense of energetic activity.
- A rumor or piece of gossip: A piece of news or information that is spread informally and often quickly.
Verb:
- To make a low, continuous humming sound: To produce a sound like that of a bee or an electric device.
- To be filled with a low, indistinct sound of activity or conversation: To have an atmosphere of quiet but busy noise.
- To signal or call someone with a buzzer: To use an electric device to produce a short sound to get someone's attention.
- To fly an aircraft very close to something: To fly an airplane low and fast over a specific area or object.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The constant buzz of the refrigerator was annoying. (The continuous humming sound from the refrigerator was annoying.)
- There was a real buzz in the city before the festival. (There was a genuine feeling of excitement in the city before the festival.)
- I heard a buzz that the company might be expanding. (I heard a rumor that the company might be expanding.)
Verb:
- Bees buzz from flower to flower. (Bees make a humming sound as they move between flowers.)
- The office buzzes with activity every morning. (The office is filled with the quiet, busy sound of work every morning.)
- Please buzz me when you arrive at the gate. (Please signal me with the buzzer when you arrive at the gate.)
- The pilot buzzed the control tower. (The pilot flew the airplane very close to the control tower.)
Advanced Usage
"to give someone a buzz": (informal) To call someone on the telephone.
- I'll give you a buzz tomorrow to confirm the plans. (I'll call you tomorrow to confirm the plans.)
"to buzz with excitement": To be full of a feeling of eager anticipation.
- The stadium was buzzing with excitement before the final match. (The stadium was full of excited energy before the final match.)
"to buzz off": (informal, often imperative) A rude way of telling someone to go away.
- He told the annoying salesman to buzz off. (He told the annoying salesman to go away.)
Variants and Related Words
Buzzer (n): An electrical device that makes a buzzing sound as a signal.
- Press the buzzer to be let into the building. (Press the signaling device to be let into the building.)
Buzzword (n): A word or phrase, often from technical or managerial jargon, that becomes very popular for a period of time.
- "Synergy" is a common buzzword in business meetings. ("Synergy" is a frequently used fashionable term in business meetings.)
Synonyms
- Hum: A low, steady continuous sound.
- Whir: A low, continuous, rapid sound like that of a machine.
- Rumor: A currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Buzz around/about: To move around quickly and busily.
- Reporters were buzzing around the celebrity. (Reporters were moving around the celebrity in a busy, excited way.)
Buzz in/out: To enter or exit a secured area by using an electronic buzzer to unlock a door.
- Visitors must buzz in at the main entrance. (Visitors must signal electronically to unlock and enter at the main entrance.)
Related Idioms
The buzz on the street: The rumors or general talk that is currently happening among people.
- The buzz on the street is that they're getting married. (The current rumor among people is that they're getting married.)
To kill the buzz: (informal) To ruin a good or excited mood.
- His negative comment really killed the buzz at the party. (His negative comment really ruined the happy mood at the party.)
Noun
- a confusion of activity and gossip
- the buzz of excitement was so great that a formal denial was issued
- sound of rapid vibration
- the buzz of a bumble bee
Verb
- call with a buzzer
- he buzzed the servant
- be noisy with activity
- This office is buzzing with activity
- fly low
- Planes buzzed the crowds in the square
- make a buzzing sound
- bees were buzzing around the hive