buzz

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Contents

English[edit]

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Wikipedia

Etymology[edit]

Onomatopoeic.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

buzz (plural buzzes)

Examples
The buzz of an electronic alarm clock
(file)
  1. A continuous, humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.
  2. A whisper.
  3. The audible friction of voice consonants.
  4. (informal) A rush or feeling of energy or excitement; a feeling of slight intoxication.
    Still feeling the buzz from the coffee, he pushed through the last of the homework.
  5. (informal) A telephone call.
  6. (informal, preceded by the) Major topic of conversation; widespread rumor; information spread behind the scenes.

Translations[edit]

humming noise
audible friction of voice consonants
feeling of energy or excitement
telephone call
information spread behind the scenes

Verb[edit]

buzz (third-person singular simple present buzzes, present participle buzzing, simple past and past participle buzzed)

  1. To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.
    • Longfellow
      Like a wasp it buzzed, and stung him.
    • 1922, D. H. Lawrence, Fantasia of the Unconscious, ch. 2:
      So that now the universe has escaped from the pin which was pushed through it, like an impaled fly vainly buzzing, . . . we can hope also to escape.
    1. (by extension) To utter a murmuring sound; to speak with a low, humming voice.
      • Shakespeare
        However these disturbers of our peace / Buzz in the people's ears.
    2. (chiefly of an insect) To fly while making such a sound.
      • 1897, Bram Stoker, Dracula, ch. 20:
        The flies, lethargic with the autumn, were beginning to buzz into the room.
  2. To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an undertone; to spread, as a report, by whispers or secretly.
  3. To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice.
  4. (aviation) To fly at high speed and at a very low altitude over a location.

Quotations[edit]

Translations[edit]

to make a low, humming or sibilant sound
to communicate, as tales, in an undertone
to talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice
(aviation) to fly at high speed and at a low altitude

Derived terms[edit]

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

English.

Noun[edit]

buzz m (uncountable)

  1. buzz (excitement)
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