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buzz

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verb American English pronunciation: buzz /bʌz/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theybuzz
he/she/itbuzzes
present participlebuzzing
past tensebuzzed
past participlebuzzed
  1. 1
    [intransitive] Sound effect: buzz when an insect such as a fly or bee buzzes, it makes a rough continuous sound
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    1. a.
      [intransitive] used about machines or electric tools that make a similar sound when they are being used

      Saws were buzzing everywhere.

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    2. b.
      [intransitive] to move somewhere while buzzing
      buzz around/by/past etc.:

      Flies were buzzing around my head.

      A small airplane buzzed past.

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    3. c.
      [intransitive] [usually progressive] if your ears or your head are buzzing, you can hear a continuous sound inside your head

      My head was still buzzing hours after leaving the nightclub.

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    4. d.
      [intransitive/transitive] spoken to press a buzzer to attract someone’s attention

      Just buzz me when the client arrives.

      Buzz if you know the answer.

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  2. 2
    [intransitive] [usually progressive] if a place or group of people is buzzing, there is a lot of noise or activity
    buzz with:

    Normally the house was buzzing with cheerful conversation.

    a classroom buzzing with activity

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    1. a.
      if someone’s head, mind, or brain is buzzing with ideas, questions, etc. or if these are buzzing around in their head, mind, or brain, they cannot stop thinking about them
      buzz with:

      His mind was always buzzing with new and exciting ideas.

      buzz around:

      With all these questions buzzing around in my head, I couldn’t sleep.

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  3. 3
    [transitive] informal to fly an airplane low over people or buildings

    The locals are fed up with being buzzed by military jets.

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  4. 4
    [intransitive] to move around quickly and busily
    buzz around/about:

    Jane buzzed around serving drinks and chatting with her guests.

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phrasal verbs

This is the American English definition of buzz. View British English definition of buzz.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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