buzz

Everyday

1. To buzz is to make a long low humming sound like a bee or a fly. tree →
2. A buzz is that sound, or the sound of a doorbell, alarm or phone vibrating. tree →
3. To buzz is to press a buzzer, for example to let someone into a building. tree →
4. A buzz is an excited, busy feeling: «There was a buzz in the classroom.» tree →
5. (informal) To give someone a buzz is to phone them. tree →
6. To buzz around is to move about quickly and busily. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, bees and flies buzz because their wings beat very fast; sound is vibration. In everyday life, phones buzz, doorbells buzz, and quiz shows have buzzers. In stories, a «buzz» of excitement spreads before a big event. Phrases: «buzz off» (rude: go away), «give someone a buzz», «buzz with excitement», «buzz cut».

Examples

• The bees buzzed around the flowers. tree →
• A fly was buzzing at the window. tree →
• My phone buzzed in my pocket. tree →
• Buzz me in when I ring the bell. tree →
• There was a buzz of excitement before the trip. tree →
• The school was buzzing with news of the snow day. tree →
• I'll give you a buzz later. tree →
• Press the buzzer if you know the answer! tree →

Note

Double z: buzz, buzzes. An onomatopoeia: the word sounds like the noise. «Buzz off» is rude. Buzz Lightyear and Buzz Aldrin (the astronaut) are names. Safety: stay calm near buzzing bees and wasps; don't swat them.