Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. a confusion of activity and gossip
   • the buzz of excitement was so great that a formal denial was issued
2. sound of rapid vibration
   • the buzz of a bumble bee

Verb

1. call with a buzzer
   • he buzzed the servant
2. be noisy with activity
   • This office is buzzing with activity
3. fly low
   • Planes buzzed the crowds in the square
4. make a buzzing sound
   • bees were buzzing around the hive