buzzers

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Electrical devices that make a loud buzzing sound, used as signals or alarms.

   Grammar: Plural of buzzer: the buzzers rang at the same time.

   Patterns

   • press the buzzers
   • buzzers go off

   The buzzers on the factory floor signal the end of each shift.

   All the door buzzers in the building stopped working.

   The oven timers and buzzers went off together.

2. 2nounplural

   Buttons or devices that contestants press to show they want to answer a question in a game.

   Grammar: Used in quiz and game contexts: fingers on the buzzers.

   Patterns

   • fingers on the buzzers
   • hit the buzzers

   The two teams kept their hands on the buzzers.

   The contestants slammed their buzzers before the question was finished.

   Buzzers in the quiz were color-coded for each team.

3. 3nounpluralsport

   Signals in sports, such as basketball, that sound to mark the end of a period of play.

   Grammar: Often used in sports talk: beating the buzzers.

   Patterns

   • beat the buzzer

   Two last-second shots beat the buzzers in the same game.

   The buzzers sounded at the end of every quarter.

   Fans cheered whenever the buzzers rang.

Word forms

Common combinations

press the buzzers

Contestants press the buzzers when they know the answer.

door buzzers

The door buzzers in the old flats are very loud.

quiz buzzers

The school bought new quiz buzzers for the competition.

buzzers sound

When the buzzers sound, everyone must leave.

beat the buzzers

Both players beat the buzzers with long shots.

Synonyms and how they differ

alarms

Alarms warn of danger and can use any sound, while buzzers specifically make a buzzing noise and are used for many ordinary signals.

bells

Bells ring with a clear metallic tone, whereas buzzers make a flat, harsh sound.

horns

Horns are louder and used mainly on vehicles or at sports events, but buzzers are usually small electrical devices.

Word family

buzzer noun

the singular form

buzz verb

to make a low continuous humming sound

buzz noun

the sound itself

buzzing adjective

making a humming sound or full of excitement

Commonly confused: buzzers or busers?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “buzzers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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