BUZZ

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does buzz mean? 

• BUZZ (noun)
  The noun BUZZ has 2 senses:

1. sound of rapid vibration

2. a confusion of activity and gossip

  Familiarity information: BUZZ used as a noun is rare.

• BUZZ (verb)
  The verb BUZZ has 4 senses:

1. make a buzzing sound

2. fly low

3. be noisy with activity

4. call with a buzzer

  Familiarity information: BUZZ used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BUZZ (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Sound of rapid vibration

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

bombilation; bombination; buzz

Context example:

the buzz of a bumble bee

Hypernyms ("buzz" is a kind of...):

sound (the sudden occurrence of an audible event)

Derivation:

buzz (call with a buzzer)

buzz (make a buzzing sound)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A confusion of activity and gossip

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the buzz of excitement was so great that a formal denial was issued

Hypernyms ("buzz" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Derivation:

buzz (be noisy with activity)

• BUZZ (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they buzz    ... he / she / it buzzes   
Past simple: buzzed   
Past participle: buzzed   
-ing form: buzzing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make a buzzing sound

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

bombilate; bombinate; buzz

Context example:

bees were buzzing around the hive

Hypernyms (to "buzz" is one way to...):

go; sound (make a certain noise or sound)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

buzz (sound of rapid vibration)

buzzer (a signaling device that makes a buzzing sound)

buzzer (a push button at an outer door that gives a ringing or buzzing signal when pushed)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Fly low

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

Planes buzzed the crowds in the square

Hypernyms (to "buzz" is one way to...):

fly; wing (travel through the air; be airborne)

Domain category:

air; air travel; aviation (travel via aircraft)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something ----s somebody

Sense 3

Meaning:

Be noisy with activity

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

buzz; hum; seethe

Context example:

This office is buzzing with activity

Hypernyms (to "buzz" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "buzz"):

pullulate; swarm; teem (be teeming, be abuzz)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence examples:

The crowds buzz in the streets
The streets buzz with crowds

Derivation:

buzz (a confusion of activity and gossip)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Call with a buzzer

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

he buzzed the servant

Hypernyms (to "buzz" is one way to...):

summon (ask to come)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

buzz (sound of rapid vibration)

buzzer (a signaling device that makes a buzzing sound)

buzzer (a push button at an outer door that gives a ringing or buzzing signal when pushed)

 Context examples 

They could not feel vibrations from a buzzing tuning fork as well as the control subjects could.

(“Sixth sense” may be more than just a feeling, NIH)

Billions of neurons buzz within an intricate network that controls our every thought, feeling, and movement.

(Fundamental Rules for How The Brain Controls Movement, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Issue associated with any unintended sound which emanates from a device (for example, squeaking from two parts rubbing together or buzzing sounds from electrical components).

(Audible Device Noise, NCI Thesaurus)

“Why, how now, good mother,” said the princess; “what are you doing there?” “Spinning,” said the old lady, and nodded her head, humming a tune, while buzz! went the wheel.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

One exciting day for advancing your career will be February 21, when Mars and Uranus will align, setting off fireworks in your career and a buzz about you in your industry.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

My head buzzed, and I could hardly sit still in my chair.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The pressure on his ear-drums was a pain, and there was a buzzing in his head.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

A question about whether an individual gets or has gotten a ringing or buzzing in their ears.

(Get Ringing or Buzzing in Ears, NCI Thesaurus)

As to the Admiralty—it is buzzing like an overturned bee-hive.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Curse me if I did not think that it was the style of speech of old Samkin Aylward,” said the voice, amid a buzz from the ranks.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)