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Meaning & use

buzz

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/bʌz/
US/bʌz/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountable

    A low, steady humming sound, like that made by a bee or an electric device.

    Grammar: Can be countable when referring to a specific sound (a buzz) or uncountable when referring to the sound in general (the buzz of conversation).

    Patterns

    • the buzz of something
    • a buzz from something

    I could hear the buzz of bees in the garden.

    The buzz from the refrigerator kept me awake.

    There was a constant buzz of conversation in the café.

  2. noununcountableinformal

    Excited interest, attention, or word-of-mouth talk about something new or popular.

    Grammar: Used mainly in informal contexts, especially in marketing and media.

    Patterns

    • buzz about something
    • create a buzz
    • generate buzz

    There's a lot of buzz about the new smartphone.

    The film generated a lot of buzz before its release.

    The company tried to create buzz around its new product.

  3. nounsingularinformal

    A feeling of mild excitement or pleasure, often from alcohol or a stimulating experience.

    Grammar: Usually used in the singular with 'a' or 'the'.

    Patterns

    • get a buzz from something
    • a buzz from something

    I get a buzz from live music.

    He felt a buzz after his first sip of coffee.

    She loves the buzz of a big city.

Word forms

pluralbuzzes

Common combinations

media buzz
The media buzz around the election was intense.
buzz word
'Sustainability' has become a buzz word in business.
buzz of conversation
The buzz of conversation filled the room.
generate buzz
The trailer generated a lot of buzz online.
buzz about
There's a lot of buzz about the new restaurant.

Synonyms and how they differ

hum
A continuous low sound; often used for machines, not for excited talk.
hype
Intense publicity or promotion; stronger and often disapproving, suggesting exaggerated claims.
excitement
A general feeling of enthusiasm; broader and not limited to talk or attention.

Opposites

silenceapathy

Word family

buzzing adjective
Making a low humming sound; also informal for lively or exciting.
buzzer noun
A device that makes a buzzing sound, often used as a signal.
buzz verb
To make a low humming sound, or to call someone with a buzzer.

Commonly confused: buzz or bus?

buzz vs bus

A large vehicle for carrying passengers; pronounced the same in some accents but spelled differently.

Practice

There's a lot of ___ about the new movie; everyone is talking about it.

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