What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Thrum vs Buzz - What's the difference?

thrum | buzz | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between thrum and buzz

is that thrum is a thrumming sound; a hum or vibration. Also fig.buzz is a continuous, humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.

As verbs the difference between thrum and buzz

is that thrum is to cause a steady rhythmic vibration, usually by plucking while buzz is to make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.

thrum

English

Alternative forms

* thrumb

Etymology 1

Imitative.

Noun

(en noun)
  • A thrumming sound; a hum or vibration. Also fig.
  • * '>citation
  • Verb

  • To cause a steady rhythmic vibration, usually by plucking.
  • She watched as he thrummed the guitar strings absently.
  • To make a monotonous drumming noise.
  • to thrum on a table

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) (m) from (etyl) and German Trumm.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • the ends of the warp threads in a loom which remain unwoven attached to the loom when the web is cut.
  • (chiefly in plural) a fringe made of such threads.
  • any short piece of leftover thread or yarn; a tuft or tassel.
  • (botany) a threadlike part of a flower; a stamen.
  • (botany) a tuft, bundle, or fringe of any threadlike structures, as hairs on a leaf, fibers of a root.
  • (anatomy) a bundle of minute blood vessels, a plexus.
  • (nautical, chiefly in plural) small pieces of rope yarn used for making mats or mops.
  • (nautical) a mat made of canvas and tufts of yarn.
  • (mining) A shove out of place; a small displacement or fault along a seam.
  • Verb

  • to furnish with thrums; to insert tufts in; to fringe.
  • * Quarles
  • are we born to thrum caps or pick straw?
  • (nautical) to insert short pieces of rope-yarn or spun yarn in.
  • to thrum a piece of canvas, or a mat, thus making a rough or tufted surface

    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 ----