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Glite Dictionary
abuzz

abuzz

12 5.3
Full of excited noise, like people talking or bees
  • adjective
  • /əˈbəz/
: bullicioso
  • The market was abuzz with indignation and ill-conceived plans the next morning.

The Internet has just been abuzz with this, and people have never let this go.

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Examples

  • The camp was all abuzz about it.

    Theater Camp (2023)

  • And the web is already abuzz with fans anticipating the next season.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The Internet has just been abuzz with this, and people have never let this go.

    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

  • The room is abuzz with activity.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • The professional networks have been abuzz about this for the past year.

    Academic text (2015)

  • The large courtroom was abuzz with people.

    Academic text (1992)

  • The diplomatic community is abuzz.

    The Last Samurai (2003)

  • It is one of the things that Washington is abuzz about right now.

    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

  • All the huts are abuzz with friends and relatives chatting, exchanging news, and gossiping.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The student center is abuzz with excitement as everyone prepares for the upcoming festival.

Synonyms

bustling
vsabuzz
30 4.1

Full of busy, noisy activity and many people

is more about continuous excited noise than movement of people
buzzing
vsabuzz
14 3.6

Full of a low humming sound or busy, noisy activity

is a lively, talkative scene rather than only humming noise
bustling with
vsabuzz
5 3.6

Full of people and busy activity

is focused on lively noise and conversation rather than only crowd size
buzzy
vsabuzz
1 4.8

Full of lively activity and excitement that attracts people

is more tied to continuous noisy activity than mere attention
buzzed with excitement
vsabuzz
1 4.7

Full of lively energy because people feel excited

is about ongoing noisy activity and conversation rather than simple anticipation

Antonyms

quiet
143 1.0

A calm time with little or no sound

stillness
35 3.5

A time of complete quiet and no movement that feels calm

How Noisy

deafening
30 3.5
noisy
129 1.0
abuzz
12 5.3
humming
11 2.7
murmuring
2 4.7
quiet
143 1.0
silent
278 1.0

Surface Forms

abuzz positive

Morphology

abuzz = buzz (semi-transparent) = a + buzz

The link to 'buzz' is clear, but the prefix 'a-' in this adjectival pattern is not very productive for learners and the extension to 'lively with activity or talk' is partly figurative.

Etymology

The word abuzz comes from the little beginning a- meaning 'in' and the sound word buzz, like the noise bees make, so it suggests being 'in a buzz'. That's why abuzz describes a place full of busy noise or excited talk.