Hum vs. Buzz

Hum vs. Buzz — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Hum and Buzz

Humnoun

A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.

Buzznoun

A continuous, humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.

Humnoun

An often indistinct sound resembling human humming.

They could hear a hum coming from the kitchen, and found the dishwasher on.

Buzznoun

A whisper.

Humnoun

Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive.

Buzznoun

The audible friction of voice consonants.

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Humnoun

unpleasant odour.

Buzznoun

(informal) A rush or feeling of energy or excitement; a feeling of slight intoxication.

Still feeling the buzz from the coffee, he pushed through the last of the homework.

Humnoun

(dated) An imposition or hoax; humbug.

Buzznoun

(informal) A telephone call or e-mail.

Humnoun

(obsolete) A kind of strong drink.

Buzznoun

(informal) Major topic of conversation; widespread rumor; information spread behind the scenes.

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Humnoun

A phenomenon, or collection of phenomena, involving widespread reports of a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise not audible to all people.

Buzzverb

(intransitive) To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.

Humverb

(intransitive) To make a sound from the vocal chords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed.

We are humming happily along with the music.

Buzzverb

(by extension) To utter a murmuring sound; to speak with a low, humming voice.

Humverb

(transitive) To express by humming.

to hum a tuneThe team ominously hummed “We shall overcome” as they came back onto the field after the break.

Buzzverb

Of a group of people, to talk about some interesting topic excitedly.

Humverb

(intransitive) To drone like certain insects naturally do in motion, or sounding similarly

Buzzverb

To fly while making such a sound.

Humverb

(intransitive) To buzz, be busily active like a beehive

The streets were humming with activity.

Buzzverb

(colloquial) To show a high level of activity and haste, energization or excitement, to be busy as a bee in one’s actions but perhaps mentally charged.

Humverb

(intransitive) To produce low sounds which blend continuously

Buzzverb

(transitive) To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an undertone; to spread, as a report, by whispers or secretly.

Humverb

To reek, smell bad.

This room really hums — have you ever tried spring cleaning, mate?

Buzzverb

(transitive) To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice.

Humverb

To flatter by approving; to cajole; to deceive or impose upon; to humbug.

Buzzverb

(aviation) To fly at high speed and at a very low altitude over a specified area, as to make a surprise pass.

Huminterjection

: a noise indicating thought, consideration, &c.

Buzzverb

(transitive) To cut the hair in a close-cropped military style, or buzzcut.

Huminterjection

: a noise indicating doubt, uncertainty, &c.

Buzzverb

To drink to the bottom.

Humnoun

the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity;

they manifested all the busyness of a pack of beaversthere is a constant hum of military preparation

Buzzverb

(transitive) To communicate with (a person) by means of a buzzer.

Humnoun

an Islamic fundamentalist group in Pakistan that fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s; now operates as a terrorist organization primarily in Kashmir and seeks Kashmir's accession by Pakistan

Buzznoun

sound of rapid vibration;

the buzz of a bumble bee

Humnoun

a humming noise;

the hum of distant traffic

Buzznoun

a confusion of activity and gossip;

the buzz of excitement was so great that a formal denial was issued

Humverb

sing with closed lips;

She hummed a melody

Buzzverb

make a buzzing sound;

bees were buzzing around the hive

Humverb

be noisy with activity;

This office is buzzing with activity

Buzzverb

fly low;

Planes buzzed the crowds in the square

Humverb

sound with a monotonous hum

Buzzverb

be noisy with activity;

This office is buzzing with activity

Humverb

make a low continuous sound;

The refrigerator is humming

Buzzverb

call with a buzzer;

he buzzed the servant