buzz

American  

[buhz] / bʌz /

noun

1. a low, vibrating, humming sound, as of bees, machinery, or people talking.

2. Informal. a rumor or report.

   There's a buzz going around that he'll soon be fired.

3. Informal. a phone call.

   When I find out, I'll give you a buzz.

4. Slang.

   1. a feeling of intense enthusiasm, interest, excitement, or exhilaration: Their ads are generating plenty of buzz.

      I get a terrific buzz from those Pacific sunsets.

      Their ads are generating plenty of buzz.

   2. a feeling of slight intoxication or overstimulation from liquor or drugs.

      Too much caffeine gives me a buzz.

5. buzzcut.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a low, vibrating, humming sound.

2. to speak or murmur with such a sound.

3. to be filled with the sound of buzzing or whispering.

   The room buzzed.

4. to whisper; gossip.

   Everyone is buzzing about the scandal.

5. to move busily from place to place.

6. Slang. to go; leave (usually followed by off oralong ): Tell him to buzz off and leave me alone.

   I'll buzz along now.

   Tell him to buzz off and leave me alone.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a buzzing sound with.

   The fly buzzed its wings.

2. to tell or spread (a rumor, gossip, etc.) secretively.

3. to signal or summon with a buzzer.

   He buzzed his assistant.

4. Informal. to make a phone call to.

5. Aeronautics.

   1. to fly a plane very low over.

      to buzz a field.

   2. to signal or greet (someone) by flying a plane low and slowing the motor spasmodically.

idioms

1. have / get a buzz on, to be slightly intoxicated.

   After a few beers they all had a buzz on.

buzz British  

/ bʌz /

noun

1. a rapidly vibrating humming sound, as that of a prolonged z or of a bee in flight

2. a low sound, as of many voices in conversation

3. a rumour; report; gossip

4. informal a telephone call

   I'll give you a buzz

5. slang

   1. a pleasant sensation, as from a drug such as cannabis

   2. a sense of excitement; kick

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verb

1. (intr) to make a vibrating sound like that of a prolonged z

2. (intr) to talk or gossip with an air of excitement or urgency

   the town buzzed with the news

3. (tr) to utter or spread (a rumour)

4. to move around quickly and busily; bustle

5. (tr) to signal or summon with a buzzer

6. informal (tr) to call by telephone

7. informal (tr)

   1. to fly an aircraft very low over (an object)

      to buzz a ship

   2. to fly an aircraft very close to or across the path of (another aircraft), esp to warn or intimidate

8. (tr) (esp of insects) to make a buzzing sound with (wings, etc)

Other Word Forms

• buzzing noun
• buzzingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of buzz

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English busse; imitative

Example Sentences

Local officials and business owners buzz whenever corporate scouts are spotted about town checking out the plant.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nowadays, other companies want to profit from the potential buzz from a rival’s misstep, too.

From The Wall Street Journal

Legendary stood out in yellow, while the rest of the words buzzed in green, all against a black backdrop.

From Literature

My blood gets hot, making me tremble, and a buzzing starts in my ears, like a nest of angry hornets has been released.

From Literature

Clare, who had been feeling more dead than alive only moments before, was now buzzing.

From Literature

Related Words

• news
• rumble
• rumor
• whisper