What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
buzz
Example
The bees buzzed around the flowers in the garden. [buzz: verb]
Example
The sound of the fan created a constant buzz in the room. [buzz: noun]
whir
Example
The printer whirred as it printed out the documents. [whir: verb]
Example
The sound of the spinning top had a distinct whir. [whir: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Buzz is more commonly used than whir in everyday language. Buzz is versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while whir is less common and more specific to mechanical or industrial settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between buzz and whir?
While buzz is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, whir can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when referring to mechanical or technical matters.
