buzz

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /bʌz/ See IPA manual

Freq #3951

Meanings

1

verb
To make a low, continuous humming sound, like a bee.

Bees were buzzing around the flowers in the garden.
2

noun
A low, continuous humming sound.

I could hear the buzz of a bee near the window.
3

verb
To be full of noise, activity, or excitement.

The office was buzzing with activity before the launch.
4

noun
A feeling of energy, excitement, or pleasure.

She felt a real buzz after winning the race.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Multiword verbs with buzz

buzz off Phrasal verb B2

to go away immediately, especially as a rude informal command

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to make a low, continuous... bombinate

2 noun · a low, continuous humming... bombination

3 verb · to be full of noise,... hum seethe

Word family

Forms buzzedbuzzesbuzzingbuzzingly

Derived forms abuzzbizz-buzzbuzz-bombbuzz-phrasebuzz-sawbuzz-wordbuzzbaitbuzziebuzzkillbuzzlebuzzlessbuzzlike

Appears in

Phrases (2)

See all

buzz saw
a powered saw with a round toothed blade that spins to cut material

Noun + noun
buzz off
go away immediately, especially as a rude informal command

Verb + adverb

Etymology

From Middle English *bussen (suggested by Middle English bussyng (“buzzing”)), of onomatopoeic origin. Cognate with Scots bizz (“to buzz”). Compare Middle English bunning (“buzzing”), Middle English hossing (“buzzing”), Middle English bissen (“to hush”).

*bussen Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# buzz

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /bʌz/
**Frequency rank:** 3951

## Meanings
1. To make a low, continuous humming sound, like a bee.
2. A low, continuous humming sound.
3. To be full of noise, activity, or excitement.
4. A feeling of energy, excitement, or pleasure.

## Examples
- Bees were buzzing around the flowers in the garden.
- I could hear the buzz of a bee near the window.
- The office was buzzing with activity before the launch.
- She felt a real buzz after winning the race.

## Derived Forms
- abuzz
- bizz-buzz
- buzz-bomb
- buzz-phrase
- buzz-saw
- buzz-word
- buzzbait
- buzzie
- buzzkill
- buzzle
- buzzless
- buzzlike

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *bussen

## Etymology
From Middle English *bussen (suggested by Middle English bussyng (“buzzing”)), of onomatopoeic origin. Cognate with Scots bizz (“to buzz”). Compare Middle English bunning (“buzzing”), Middle English hossing (“buzzing”), Middle English bissen (“to hush”).

## AI Etymology
Buzz comes from Middle English *bussen (suggested by Middle English bussyng (“buzzing”)), of onomatopoeic origin. Cognate with Scots bizz (“to buzz”). Compare Middle English bunning (“buzzing”), Middle English hossing (“buzzing”), Middle English bissen (“to hush”).

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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