buzz

 
Pronunciation: /bʌz/

noun

  • 1a low, continuous humming or murmuring sound, made by or similar to that made by an insect: the buzz of the bees a buzz of conversation
  • the sound of a buzzer or telephone.
  • informal a telephone call: I’ll give you a buzz
  • 2an atmosphere of excitement and activity: there is a real buzz about the place
  • informal a feeling of excitement or euphoria; a thrill: I got such a buzz out of seeing the kids' faces
  • 3 informal a rumour: there’s a strong buzz that he’s in Scotland

verb

[no object]
  • 1make a low, continuous humming sound: mosquitoes were buzzing all around us
  • (often as noun buzzing) (of the ears) be filled with a humming sound: I remember a buzzing in my ears
  • signal to someone with a buzzer: the intercom buzzed loudly [with object]: he buzzed the stewardesses every five minutes
  • [with object] informal telephone (someone): he buzzed me on the car phone
  • 2 [with adverbial of direction] move quickly or busily: she buzzed along the M1 back into town
  • [with object] Aeronautics, informal fly very close to (another aircraft, the ground, etc.) at high speed: helicopter gunships were sent to buzz the villages
  • 3 (usually be buzzing with) be full of excitement or activity: Westminster is buzzing with anticipation within an hour, every department was buzzing with the news
  • (of a person) be euphoric or very stimulated: twenty-four hours later Marcus was still buzzing
  • 4 [with object] British informal throw (something) hard.

Phrasal Verbs

buzz off

[often in imperative] informal go away.

Origin:

late Middle English: imitative