buzz

See also: Buzz

English

Etymology

onomatopoeic

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /bʌz/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Hyphenation: buzz
  • Rhymes: -ʌz

Noun

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 or e-mail.
  6. (informal, preceded by the) Major topic of conversation; widespread rumor; information spread behind the scenes.

Translations

Verb

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

  1. (intransitive) 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. (colloquial) To show a high level of activity and haste (alluding to the common simile "busy as a bee"). Often in the colloquial imperative "Buzz off!"
  3. (transitive) To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an undertone; to spread, as a report, by whispers or secretly.
    • Shakespeare
      I will buzz abroad such prophecies / That Edward shall be fearful of his life.
  4. (transitive) To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice.
  5. (aviation) To fly at high speed and at a very low altitude over a specified area, as to make a surprise pass.
    • 2013, The Economist, Stopping asteroid strikes: Defenders of the Earth
      […] 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.
  6. (transitive) To cut the hair in a close-cropped military style, or buzzcut.
    • 2012, Ellen Hartman, Out of Bounds (page 130)
      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.”

Quotations

  • For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:buzz.

Translations

Derived terms

Further reading

French

Etymology

English.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /bøz/, /byz/

Noun

buzz m (uncountable)

  1. buzz (excitement)
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