Hum vs. Buzz — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 5, 2024
Hum is a low, steady sound often perceived as soothing, e.g., a refrigerator's hum; buzz is a higher-pitched, more intrusive noise, like a bee's buzz.
Difference Between Hum and Buzz
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Key Differences
Hum often refers to a soft, low, continuous sound made by something in operation or by people speaking quietly. It's usually considered pleasant or at least not disturbing, emanating from machinery like a refrigerator or air conditioning unit. Whereas buzz describes a higher-pitched sound that is more insistent and often irritating, associated with insects like bees or electrical devices malfunctioning.
A hum can also signify a state of busyness or activity within a place, giving a sense of vibrancy without overwhelming. It suggests a background noise that doesn't intrude on one's focus. On the other hand, a buzz can imply excitement or anticipation among a group of people or about an event, often carrying a more energetic and possibly disruptive connotation.
In technical terms, a hum is often related to the sound frequency produced by electrical equipment, typically at 60 Hz in North America, perceived as a steady, continuous sound. Whereas, a buzz can result from a fault in electrical systems, producing an intermittent, variable frequency that is more noticeable and often signals a problem.
When talking about human sensations or experiences, someone might say they "feel a hum" in a place, referring to a subtle, almost tactile sense of energy or aliveness. In contrast, "feeling a buzz" is usually linked to a more intense, often temporary sensation of excitement or euphoria, possibly from caffeine, alcohol, or the anticipation of an event.
A hum is used to describe a type of singing with closed lips, producing a warm, resonant sound used for calming or soothing purposes. Buzz, however, is often related to the sound of certain musical instruments or techniques that create a sharp, vibrating tone, such as the buzzing of a brass instrument's mouthpiece or a distorted electric guitar.
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Comparison Chart
Sound Quality
Low, steady, often soothing
Higher-pitched, more intrusive
Source Examples
Refrigerators, air conditioning units
Bees, faulty electrical devices
Associated Feelings
Soothing, unobtrusive
Irritating, energetic
Technical Context
Often a steady sound from electricity
Indicates a fault or variability in sound
Usage in Music
Singing with closed lips
Sharp, vibrating tones in instruments
Compare with Definitions
Hum
A steady, low sound from machinery.
The air conditioner emitted a gentle hum.
Buzz
Faulty electrical sound.
The speaker's buzz indicated a loose connection.
Hum
A feeling of aliveness or energy.
There was a hum in the air before the storm.
Buzz
The vibrating sound in music.
The guitarist’s effects pedal added a buzz to the performance.
Hum
A state of busy activity.
The office was alive with the hum of productivity.
Buzz
A higher-pitched, annoying sound.
The broken fan made an incessant buzz.
Hum
A technique of singing with closed lips.
She hummed a lullaby to her baby.
Buzz
The sound made by flying insects.
The garden was filled with the buzz of bees.
Hum
The sound of electricity.
The wires overhead produced a constant hum.
Buzz
A sense of excitement or anticipation.
The buzz before the concert was palpable.
Hum
To emit a continuous low droning sound like that of the speech sound (m) when prolonged.
Buzz
To make a low droning or vibrating sound like that of a bee.
Hum
To emit the continuous droning sound of a bee on the wing; buzz.
Buzz
To talk, often excitedly, in low tones.
Hum
To give forth a low continuous drone blended of many sounds
The avenue hummed with traffic.
Buzz
To be abuzz; hum
The department was buzzing with rumors.
Hum
To be in a state of busy activity.
Buzz
To move quickly and busily; bustle.
Hum
To produce a tune without opening the lips or forming words.
Buzz
To make a signal with a buzzer.
Hum
To sing (a tune) without opening the lips or forming words.
Buzz
To cause to buzz.
Hum
(Baseball) To throw or pitch (a ball) very fast.
Buzz
To utter in a rapid, low voice
"What is he buzzing in my ears?" (Robert Browning).
Hum
The sound produced by humming.
Buzz
(Informal) To fly low over
The plane buzzed the control tower.
Hum
The act of humming.
Buzz
To call or signal with a buzzer.
Hum
Used to indicate hesitation, surprise, or displeasure.
Buzz
To make a telephone call to.
Hum
A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.
Buzz
To give a buzzcut to.
Hum
An often indistinct sound resembling human humming.
They could hear a hum coming from the kitchen, and found the dishwasher on.
Buzz
A vibrating, humming, or droning sound.
Hum
Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive.
Buzz
A low murmur
A buzz of talk.
Hum
Unpleasant odour.
Buzz
A telephone call
Give me a buzz at nine.
Hum
(dated) An imposition or hoax; humbug.
Buzz
A state of pleasant intoxication, as from alcohol.
Hum
(obsolete) A kind of strong drink.
Buzz
A state of stimulation or overstimulation, as from caffeine.
Hum
A phenomenon, or collection of phenomena, involving widespread reports of a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise not audible to all people.
Buzz
Excited interest or attention
"The biggest buzz surrounds the simplest antioxidants.
Hum
(intransitive) To make a sound from the vocal chords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed.
We are humming happily along with the music.
Buzz
Rumor; gossip
The latest buzz from Hollywood.
Hum
(transitive) To express by humming.
To hum a tune
The team ominously hummed “We shall overcome” as they came back onto the field after the break.
Buzz
A buzzcut.
Hum
(intransitive) To drone like certain insects naturally do in motion, or sounding similarly
Buzz
A continuous humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones.
Hum
(intransitive) To buzz, be busily active like a beehive
The streets were humming with activity.
Buzz
A whisper.
Hum
(intransitive) To produce low sounds which blend continuously
Buzz
The audible friction of voiced consonants.
Hum
To reek, smell bad.
This room really hums — have you ever tried spring cleaning, mate?
Buzz
(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.
Hum
To flatter by approving; to cajole; to deceive or impose upon; to humbug.
Buzz
(informal) A telephone call or e-mail.
Hum
Syn of hmm: a noise indicating thought, consideration, &c.
Buzz
(informal) Major topic of conversation; widespread rumor; information spread behind the scenes.
Hum
Syn of um: a noise indicating doubt, uncertainty, &c.
Buzz
(uncountable) fizz-buzz
Hum
To make a low, prolonged sound, like that of a bee in flight; to drone; to murmur; to buzz; as, a top hums.
Still humming on, their drowsy course they keep.
Buzz
(intransitive) To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings.
Hum
To make a nasal sound, like that of the letter m prolonged, without opening the mouth, or articulating; to mumble in monotonous undertone; to drone.
The cloudy messenger turns me his back,And hums.
Buzz
(by extension) To utter a murmuring sound; to speak with a low, humming voice.
Hum
To make an inarticulate sound, like h'm, through the nose in the process of speaking, from embarrassment or a affectation; to hem.
Buzz
Of a group of people, to talk about some interesting topic excitedly.
Hum
To express satisfaction by a humming noise.
Here the spectators hummed.
Buzz
To fly while making such a sound.
A fly was buzzing past me.
Hum
To have the sensation of a humming noise; as, my head hums, - a pathological condition.
Buzz
(colloquial) To show a high level of activity and haste, energization or excitement, to be busy as a bee in one’s actions but perhaps mentally charged.
Hum
To sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to mumble; as, to hum a tune.
Buzz
(transitive) To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an undertone; to spread, as a report, by whispers or secretly.
Hum
To express satisfaction with by humming.
Buzz
(transitive) To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice.
Hum
To flatter by approving; to cajole; to impose on; to humbug.
Buzz
(aviation) To fly at high speed and at a very low altitude over a specified area, as to make a surprise pass.
Hum
A low monotonous noise, as of bees in flight, of a swiftly revolving top, of a wheel, or the like; a drone; a buzz.
The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums.
Buzz
(transitive) To cut the hair in a close-cropped military style, or buzzcut.
Hum
Any inarticulate and buzzing sound
But 'midst the crowd, the hum, the shock of men.
Buzz
To drink to the bottom.
Hum
A buzz or murmur, as of approbation.
Buzz
(transitive) To communicate with (a person) by means of a buzzer.
Hum
An imposition or hoax.
Buzz
To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like that made by bees with their wings. Hence: To utter a murmuring sound; to speak with a low, humming voice.
Like a wasp is buzzed, and stung him.
However these disturbers of our peaceBuzz in the people's ears.
Hum
An inarticulate nasal sound or murmur, like h'm, uttered by a speaker in pause from embarrassment, affectation, etc.
These shrugs, these hums and ha's.
Buzz
To sound forth by buzzing.
Hum
A kind of strong drink formerly used.
Buzz
To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an under tone; to spread, as report, by whispers, or secretly.
I will buzz abroad such propheciesThat Edward shall be fearful of his life.
Hum
Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation.
Buzz
To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming voice.
Hum
The state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity;
They manifested all the busyness of a pack of beavers
There is a constant hum of military preparation
Buzz
To sound with a "buzz".
Hum
An Islamic fundamentalist group in Pakistan that fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s; now operates as a terrorist organization primarily in Kashmir and seeks Kashmir's accession by Pakistan
Buzz
A continuous, humming noise, as of bees; a confused murmur, as of general conversation in low tones, or of a general expression of surprise or approbation.
I found the whole room in a buzz of politics.
There is a buzz all around regarding the sermon.
Hum
A humming noise;
The hum of distant traffic
Buzz
A whisper; a report spread secretly or cautiously.
There's a certain buzzOf a stolen marriage.
Hum
Sing with closed lips;
She hummed a melody
Buzz
The audible friction of voice consonants.
Hum
Be noisy with activity;
This office is buzzing with activity
Buzz
Sound of rapid vibration;
The buzz of a bumble bee
Hum
Sound with a monotonous hum
Buzz
A confusion of activity and gossip;
The buzz of excitement was so great that a formal denial was issued
Hum
Make a low continuous sound;
The refrigerator is humming
Buzz
Make a buzzing sound;
Bees were buzzing around the hive
Buzz
Fly low;
Planes buzzed the crowds in the square
Buzz
Be noisy with activity;
This office is buzzing with activity
Buzz
Call with a buzzer;
He buzzed the servant
Common Curiosities
What causes a hum in electrical devices?
A hum is often caused by the vibration of electrical components at a frequency, usually 60 Hz in North America.
Is a hum always pleasant to hear?
While hums are generally considered less intrusive, whether they're pleasant can be subjective and dependent on the context.
Can a buzz be a sign of something wrong?
Yes, a buzz in electrical devices often indicates a fault or malfunction.
Can both hum and buzz be used to describe music?
Yes, both terms are used in music but refer to different sounds or techniques.
Why do bees buzz?
Bees buzz due to the rapid movement of their wings, which creates vibration and sound.
How do animals contribute to the sounds of hum and buzz?
Animals like bees contribute to buzzing sounds, while hums are more commonly associated with human-made sources.
Do all electrical devices hum?
Many do due to their operation, but not all electrical devices produce a noticeable hum.
Is the buzz always related to excitement?
While often associated with excitement or energy, buzz can also refer to annoying sounds.
How can I reduce the buzz from my electrical devices?
Identifying and fixing the fault, such as a loose connection or component, can reduce buzz.
Can hums and buzzes affect concentration?
Yes, although hums might be less intrusive, both can affect concentration depending on the individual's sensitivity to noise.
Is it possible to eliminate hums and buzzes entirely?
Reducing them significantly is possible, but eliminating them entirely may not be feasible depending on the source.
Can the same source produce both a hum and a buzz?
Yes, an electrical device can produce both sounds, depending on the nature of its operation or fault.
Can you hear a buzz in every electrical fault?
Not every electrical fault produces a buzz; it depends on the nature of the fault.
Are hums and buzzes dangerous?
By themselves, they are not dangerous but can indicate a potential issue with electrical devices.
What role does frequency play in hums and buzzes?
The frequency of the sound wave determines the pitch of the hum or buzz, affecting how we perceive them.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
