# buzz

> English word · Noun · IPA /bʌz/ · frequency rank #6,550

## Definitions
1. A continuous humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.
2. A whisper.
3. The audible friction of voiced consonants.
4. A rush or feeling of energy or excitement; a feeling of slight intoxication.
5. A telephone call or e-mail.
6. Major topic of conversation; widespread rumor; information spread behind the scenes.
7. Synonym of fizz-buzz (“counting game”).

## 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”).

## Easily confused with
- **buzzer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/buzz-vs-buzzer)
- **buzzed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/buzz-vs-buzzed)
- **but** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/but-vs-buzz)
- **buy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/buy-vs-buzz)
- **bus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bus-vs-buzz)
- **bug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bug-vs-buzz)
- **bud** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bud-vs-buzz)
- **bum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bum-vs-buzz)
- **bun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bun-vs-buzz)
- **biz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/biz-vs-buzz)
- **baz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baz-vs-buzz)
- **bub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bub-vs-buzz)
- **bur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-buzz)
- **Bui** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bui-vs-buzz)
- **busy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/busy-vs-buzz)
- **burn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burn-vs-buzz)
- **bush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bush-vs-buzz)
- **bull** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bull-vs-buzz)
- **butt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/butt-vs-buzz)
- **bulk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bulk-vs-buzz)

## Common misspellings (4)
`bbuzz`, `buz`, `bzuz`, `ubzz`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/buzz