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Zing vs Buzz - What's the difference?

zing | buzz |

As nouns the difference between zing and buzz

is that zing is a short high-pitched humming sound, eg that made by a bullet or vibrating string 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 zing and buzz

is that zing is to move very quickly, especially while making a high-pitched hum while buzz is to make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.

As an interjection zing

is (onomatopoeia) a high pitched humming sound.

zing

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A short high-pitched humming sound, eg that made by a bullet or vibrating string.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , date = 1998-03-15 , author = Edward E. Leslie , title = Desperate Journeys, Abandoned Souls , publisher = Mariner Books , isbn = 9780395911501 , ol = 7468582M , page = 387 , pageurl = http://books.google.com/books?id=X0_S5AtHuY0C&pg=PA387&dq=zing , passage = I heard a zing close to my head and looked up again. Five or six men were lined up on the deck above me with rifles shooting at the shark. }}
  • Zest or vitality.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , date = 2006-05-25 , author = Melinda Houston , newspaper = , title = European Bier Cafe - Bar Reviews , url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/bar-reviews/european-bier-cafe/2006/05/25/1148519757307.html , passage = To accompany a meal, the fresh Italian lager Poretti is perfect; Erdinger Weisbier, a wheat beer from Germany, is full of zing ; }}

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To move very quickly, especially while making a high-pitched hum.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year = 2000 , author = Nick Nelson , title = The Golden Vortex , publisher = Conscious Publishing , isbn = 9781929096015 , ol = 8949607W , page = 89 , pageurl = http://books.google.com/books?id=xAOfLVoyCLIC&pg=PA89&dq=zinging , passage = We are all a second or two older than an astronaut who has been zinging around the Earth at 18000 miles per hour, because of his or her greater speed and the lack of gravity. }}

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (onomatopoeia) A high pitched humming sound.
  • * {{quote-song
    • , year = 1934 , composer = , title = , passage = Something inside of me started a symphony / Zing ! Went the strings of my heart }}
  • (US, slang) Used to acknowledge a witty comeback, a zinger .
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year = 2002 , author = Chellie Campbell , title = The Wealthy Spirit , publisher = Sourcebooks , isbn = 9781570717772 , ol = 8698152M , page = 162 , pageurl = http://google.com/books?id=mU-DgUcd-5AC&pg=PA162&dq=zing , passage = Zing! The joke had rebounded back on the one who started it. "Ouch!" Mama Jane winced ruefully. We all dissolved in laughter at the good-natured repartee. }} ----

    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.”

    Quotations

    * (English Citations of "buzz")

    Derived terms

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