buzz

BUZ/bʌz/

19 meanings of buzz

1
nouncountable or uncountable
A low humming sound, like bees, or the soft murmur of many people talking.
Like the soft sound a fan makes when it runs.
The buzz of bees filled the summer garden.
A low buzz of voices came from the next room.
Similarhum, drone, murmur, babble, whirr
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2
verbintransitive
To make a low humming sound, like a bee.
Like the sound your phone makes when it shakes on a table.
The bees buzzed around the flowers all afternoon.
Insects buzz near the porch light at night.
Similarhum, drone, whirr, whine
3
nouncolloquialcountable or uncountable
Exciting news or talk that many people are sharing about something.
Like when everyone at school is talking about the same thing.
There was a lot of buzz about the new movie before it opened.
The product launch created plenty of buzz online.
Similarhype, excitement, talk, chatter, rumor
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4
nouncolloquialcountable or uncountable
A sudden feeling of energy, excitement, or being slightly drunk.
Like the happy, light feeling you get on a roller coaster.
She got a real buzz from finishing the race.
He felt a warm buzz after one glass of wine.
Similarthrill, high, rush, kick, lift
5
nouncolloquialcountable or uncountable
A quick phone call or message to someone.
Like a quick knock on someone's door to say hello.
Give me a buzz when you get home.
I'll send him a buzz later tonight.
Similarcall, ring, bell, shout, holler
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6
verbtransitive
To call someone by using a buzzer or doorbell.
Like pressing a button to let someone know you're there.
She buzzed the receptionist to ask for help.
Buzz me when you're ready to start.
Similarpage, call, summon, ring, signal
7
verbtransitive
To cut someone's hair very short, close to the head.
Like mowing a lawn down to a short, even length.
The barber buzzed his hair before summer camp.
Many recruits buzz their hair when they join the army.
Similarcrop, shave, clip, shear
8
verbintransitive
When a group of people talk about something exciting all at once.
Like a classroom full of kids all chatting about big news.
The whole office buzzed with talk about the surprise announcement.
Fans buzz with excitement before a big game.
Similarhum, chatter, gossip
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9
verbtransitive
To fly very fast and very low over a place, often as a surprise.
Like a bird swooping down low over your head and away again.
The jets buzzed the stadium during the opening ceremony.
Pilots sometimes buzz the crowd to show off at air shows.
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10
verbintransitive
To fly while making a low humming sound.
Like a tiny remote-control plane humming through the air.
A fly buzzed past my ear during the picnic.
Mosquitoes buzz around the lamp on warm evenings.
Similarhum, drone, whirr

11
verbcolloquialintransitive
To be very busy and full of energy or excitement.
Like a bee that never stops moving from flower to flower.
Workers buzzed across the factory floor as the deadline neared.
Volunteers buzz around the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning.
Similarbustle, hum, swarm, hustle
12
verbtransitive
To throw something quickly and with force.
Like throwing a stone fast across a pond.
He buzzed the ball across the yard to his brother.
Buzz the keys over here so I can lock up.
Similarfire, whip, zip, rifle, hurl
13
verbintransitive
To make a low humming sound while speaking.
Like the soft hum of bees in a garden.
He buzzed quietly to himself while reading.
The students buzz softly during the test.
Similarmurmur, hum, mutter, mumble, drone
14
verbtransitive
To keep talking to someone quietly and without stopping.
Like someone who keeps whispering in your ear and won't stop.
He buzzed his neighbor with gossip across the fence.
Gossips buzz one another for hours at the well.
Similarply, regale, pester
15
verbtransitive
To spread news or stories quietly by whispering.
Like passing a secret quietly from one person to the next.
They buzzed the rumor around the school in minutes.
People buzz the latest news before it is even confirmed.
Similarwhisper, spread, circulate
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16
nouncountable or uncountable
A soft whispering sound.
Like the soft sound of many people whispering at once.
A buzz of whispers spread through the crowd as the lights dimmed.
There was a quiet buzz of voices in the waiting room.
Similarmurmur, whisper, hum, mutter
17
nouncountable or uncountable
The humming sound your voice makes with certain letters like 'z' and 'v'.
Like the gentle tickle you feel when you hum.
You can feel the buzz in your throat when you say 'zzz'.
The buzz of a 'v' sound makes your lips tickle.
18
noununcountable
A counting game where players say a special word instead of some numbers.
We played buzz on the long bus ride to keep busy.
In buzz, you say the word instead of every seventh number.
19
verbarchaictransitive
To drink all of something until the cup is empty.
Like drinking a glass of juice until not a drop is left.
He buzzed the last of the wine before leaving the table.
They buzz the whole jug whenever a toast is called.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from an old English word that imitated the buzzing sound.