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Hoot vs Buzz - What's the difference?

hoot | buzz |

As nouns the difference between hoot and buzz

is that hoot is a derisive cry or shout while buzz is a continuous, humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.

As verbs the difference between hoot and buzz

is that hoot is to cry out or shout in contempt while buzz is to make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.

hoot

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A derisive cry or shout.
  • The cry of an owl.
  • (US, slang) A fun event or person. (See hootenanny)
  • A small particle
  • * 1878 , John Hanson Beadle, Western Wilds, and the Men who Redeem Them , page 611, Jones Brothers, 1878
  • Well, it was Sunday morning, and the wheat nothing like ripe; but it was a chance, and I got onto my reaper and banged down every hoot of it before Monday night.

    Usage notes

    * (small particle) The term is nearly always encountered in a negative sense in such phrases as don't care a hoot'' or ''don't give two hoots . * (derisive cry) The phrase a hoot and a holler'' has a very different meaning to ''hoot and holler''. The former is a short distance, the latter is a verb of ''derisive cry .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cry out or shout in contempt.
  • * Dryden
  • Matrons and girls shall hoot at thee no more.
  • To make the cry of an owl.
  • * Shakespeare
  • the clamorous owl that nightly hoots
  • To assail with contemptuous cries or shouts; to follow with derisive shouts.
  • * Jonathan Swift
  • Partridge and his clan may hoot me for a cheat.

    See also

    * hooter * hootenanny

    Anagrams

    * ----

    buzz

    English

    Noun

    (es)
  • A continuous, humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.
  • A whisper.
  • The audible friction of voice consonants.
  • (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.
  • (informal) A telephone call.
  • (informal, preceded by the) Major topic of conversation; widespread rumor; information spread behind the scenes.
  • * 2006 Sept. 6, Daren Fonda, " Ford Motor's New Chief: "I Think It's a Tough Situation"," Time :
  • In Detroit, the buzz is that he's too nice a guy, unwilling to impose draconian job cuts at the risk of angering the UAW.

    Verb

    (es)
  • To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.
  • * Longfellow
  • Like a wasp it buzzed , and stung him.
  • * 1922 , , Fantasia of the Unconscious , ch. 2:
  • So that now the universe has escaped from the pin which was pushed through it, like an impaled fly vainly buzzing , we can hope also to escape.
  • # (by extension) To utter a murmuring sound; to speak with a low, humming voice.
  • #* Shakespeare
  • However these disturbers of our peace / Buzz in the people's ears.
  • # (chiefly, of an insect) To fly while making such a sound.
  • #* 1897 , , ch. 20:
  • The flies, lethargic with the autumn, were beginning to buzz into the room.
  • To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an undertone; to spread, as a report, by whispers or secretly.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I will buzz abroad such prophecies / That Edward shall be fearful of his life.
  • To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice.
  • (aviation) To fly at high speed and at a very low altitude over a specified area, as to make a surprise pass.
  • * 2013 , The Economist, Stopping asteroid strikes: Defenders of the Earth
  • an asteroid a mere 15-20 metres across exploded with the force of a medium-sized atom bomb over Chelyabinsk, in Russia, and another, much larger one buzzed Earth a few hours later.
  • To cut the hair in a close-cropped military style, or buzzcut.
  • * 2012 , Ellen Hartman, Out of Bounds (page 130)
  • Deacon said, “You used to beg me to let you buzz your hair when you were little.” “And then I grew up and realized how awful you looked when you buzzed yours.”

    Derived terms

    * abuzz * buzz saw * buzzword English onomatopoeias ----