What does "buzz" mean?
A continuous humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.
Buzz
/bʌz/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A continuous humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.
- Grammar: buzz is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: adrenaline, adrenaline rush, alert, arouse.
- Useful contrasts: apathy, calm, dampen.
- Usage evidence: I'm sorry, I don't buzz in people I don't know.
How to use "buzz"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "buzz" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "buzz" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "buzz" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "buzz" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "buzz" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adrenaline" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "buzz", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A continuous humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones. countable, uncountable
"In the steady buzz of flies the homeward-bound agent was lying flushed and insensible[.]"
- 2 a confusion of activity and gossip wordnet
- 3 A whisper. countable, uncountable
- 4 sound of rapid vibration wordnet
- 5 The audible friction of voiced consonants. countable, uncountable
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A rush or feeling of energy or excitement; a feeling of slight intoxication. countable, informal, uncountable
"Still feeling the buzz from the coffee, he pushed through the last of the homework."
- 7 A telephone call or e-mail. countable, informal, uncountable
"Now, don't waste time, give us a buzz -- quick! 825-4703 or 265-7881."
- 8 Major topic of conversation; widespread rumor; information spread behind the scenes. countable, informal, uncountable
"Mr. Hall? The buzz on Christian is that his parents have joint custody, so he'll be spending one semester in Chicago and one semester here."
- 9 Synonym of fizz-buzz (“counting game”). uncountable
Verb
- 1 To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings. intransitive
"Ah! the singing, fatal arrow, / Like a wasp it buzzed, and stung him [a roebuck]!"
- 2 call with a buzzer wordnet
- 3 To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.; To utter a murmuring sound; to speak with a low, humming voice. broadly, intransitive
"However these disturbers of our peace / Buzz in the people's ears."
- 4 fly low wordnet
- 5 To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.; Of a group of people, to talk about some interesting topic excitedly. intransitive
"But I tell you this has set all London buzzing. The old man is where he likes to be, with a pin-point limelight right on his hairy old head."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 make a buzzing sound wordnet
- 7 To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.; To fly while making such a sound. intransitive
"A fly was buzzing past me."
- 8 be noisy with activity wordnet
- 9 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. colloquial
- 10 To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an undertone; to spread, as a report, by whispers or secretly. transitive
"I will buzz abroad such prophecies / That Edward shall be fearful of his life."
- 11 To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice. transitive
- 12 To fly at high speed and at a very low altitude over (an area), as to make a surprise pass. also, figuratively, transitive
"[…] an asteroid a mere 15-20 metres across exploded with the force of a medium-sized atom bomb over Chelyabinsk, in Russia, and another, much larger one buzzed Earth a few hours later."
- 13 To cut (the hair) in a close-cropped military style, or buzzcut. transitive
"Deacon said, “You used to beg me to let you buzz your hair when you were little.” “And then I grew up and realized how awful you looked when you buzzed yours.”"
- 14 To throw swiftly. transitive
"I have mentioned her deft hand with a stone — well, as soon as our backs were turned she buzzed a stone to clip Joe's ear."
- 15 To drink to the bottom. archaic, transitive
"He buzzed the bottle with such a hearty good will as settled the fate of another, which Soapey rang for as a matter of course. There was but the rejected one, which however Spigot put into a different decanter and brought in […]"
- 16 To communicate with (a person) by means of a buzzer. transitive
"Then one day my secretary buzzed me and said Frank Sinatra was on the phone. When I picked up the phone it was the Chief who played dumb and would not admit that he said he was Frank Sinatra."
Proper Noun
- 1 A male given name, pet form of Busby
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I'm sorry, I don't buzz in people I don't know."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "buzz"?
Common synonyms include: adrenaline, adrenaline rush, alert, arouse, array, articulation.
How do you use "buzz" in a sentence?
I'm sorry, I don't buzz in people I don't know.
How do you pronounce "buzz"?
Pronounced /bʌz/.
Etymology
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”).