VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

buzzing sound

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈbʌzɪŋ ˌsaʊnd/
US/ˈbʌzɪŋ ˌsaʊnd/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A continuous low humming noise, like the sound a bee or an electric device makes.

    Grammar: Countable: say 'a buzzing sound' or 'buzzing sounds'; you can also use 'buzzing' alone as an uncountable noun.

    Patterns

    • a buzzing sound from something
    • hear a buzzing sound
    • make a buzzing sound

    There was a strange buzzing sound coming from the fridge.

    I heard a buzzing sound near my ear and saw a large bee.

    The old speaker made a buzzing sound whenever we turned it up.

  2. nouncountablemedical

    A similar humming noise heard in the ears or head, often a sign of a medical condition.

    Grammar: Often used with 'in': a buzzing sound in the ears.

    Patterns

    • a buzzing sound in your ears
    • a buzzing sound in your head

    He described a constant buzzing sound in his ears after the concert.

    Some medicines can cause a buzzing sound in the ears.

    The doctor asked whether the buzzing sound came and went or stayed all day.

Word forms

pluralbuzzing sounds

Common combinations

a strange buzzing sound
We kept hearing a strange buzzing sound at night.
a loud buzzing sound
A loud buzzing sound came from the door intercom.
make a buzzing sound
The machine makes a buzzing sound when it is ready.
hear a buzzing sound
If you hear a buzzing sound, check the phone line.
a buzzing sound in your ears
After the flight she had a buzzing sound in her ears.

Synonyms and how they differ

hum
A steady, smooth low sound, often softer and more pleasant than a buzz; used for machines and voices.
whir
A sound of something spinning fast, like a fan; a buzz is rougher and more electric.
buzz
The shorter noun for the same sound; 'buzzing sound' spells out what the noise is like.

Opposites

silence

Word family

buzz verb
to make a low continuous sound like a bee.
buzzer noun
a device that makes a buzzing noise, often as a signal.
buzzing noun
the noise itself, used without 'sound': the buzzing of bees.

Commonly confused: buzzing sound or ringing sound?

buzzing sound vs ringing sound

A ringing sound is high and clear, like a bell or phone; a buzzing sound is lower and rougher, like an insect or motor.

Practice

Which sentence describes a buzzing sound most naturally?

Make it your own

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

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words