How to pronounce buzz
Say it like BUHZ. Buzz is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce buzz. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BUHZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Buzz pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BUHZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of buzz
American and British speakers say buzz in essentially the same way: /bʌz/ in the US and /bʌz/ in the UK.
British respelling: BUHZ.
What does buzz mean?
- make a buzzing sound“bees were buzzing around the hive”
- fly low“Planes buzzed the crowds in the square”
- be noisy with activity“This office is buzzing with activity”
- sound of rapid vibration“the buzz of a bumble bee”
- a confusion of activity and gossip“the buzz of excitement was so great that a formal denial was issued”
Where does buzz come from?
From Middle English *bussen (suggested by Middle English bussyng (“buzzing”)), of onomatopoeic origin.
Words that rhyme with buzz
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of buzz.
Questions about saying buzz
How do you pronounce buzz?
Say BUHZ. The American pronunciation is /bʌz/. In British English it is /bʌz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in buzz?
Buzz is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: BUHZ.
Do Americans and Brits say buzz the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bʌz/ and the British form is /bʌz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.