Word
buzzword
Phoneticsbuzz·word, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbəzwɝd/
UK/bˈʌzwɜːd/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a popular word or phrase that everyone uses for a short time because it sounds modern or important. You hear it a lot in business, media, and politics.
n. a fashionable term that gains wide currency through repeated use in media, business, or public discourse, often implying novelty or importance beyond its precise meaning.
Examples
“Sustainability is the new buzzword in our office.”
“The manager uses innovation as a buzzword in every meeting without explaining what it means.”
“Though synergy began as a useful business buzzword, overuse stripped it of meaning until staff heard it as empty corporate noise.”
Examples
simple
“Sustainability is the new buzzword in our office.”
contextual
“The manager uses innovation as a buzzword in every meeting without explaining what it means.”
complex
“Though synergy began as a useful business buzzword, overuse stripped it of meaning until staff heard it as empty corporate noise.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “buzzword” in context.
Verb
01. buzzword catches on
“The buzzword caught on after CEOs used it in interviews.”
noun + verb + prep
02. buzzword fades
“The buzzword faded after a few months of heavy use.”
noun + verb
03. buzzword spreads
“The buzzword spread quickly from Silicon Valley to offices worldwide.”
noun + verb
04. coin buzzword
“The author coined the buzzword 'staycation' in a 2005 article.”
verb + noun
05. dismiss as buzzword
“Critics dismissed 'wellness' as a buzzword with no real meaning.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. corporate buzzword
“'Synergy' is a classic corporate buzzword managers love to use.”
adj + noun
07. latest buzzword
“Sustainability is the latest buzzword in fashion and product design.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. meaning of buzzword
“Do you know the exact meaning of the buzzword 'metaverse'?”
noun + prep + noun
09. become the latest buzzword
“'Detox' has become the latest buzzword in the food industry.”
10. dismiss it as a buzzword
“Many voters dismiss it as a buzzword with no clear policy.”
11. just another empty buzzword
“Critics say 'smart city' is just another empty buzzword.”
12. more than just a buzzword
“Remote work is more than just a buzzword; it has changed office life.”
Real-World Examples
“Wellness has become a bit of a buzzword - and one that often comes with a hefty price tag.” “A few buzzwords or bold statements lend an air of high-tech legitimacy that erases nuance.” “In Silicon Valley circles, “agentic” is also a buzzword for doers, the people who, like a mailbox-wiping computer program, take initiative without waiting for permission.” “Kristin Dombek, in her 2014 book, “The Selfishness of Others: An Essay on the Fear of Narcissism,” discusses how narcissism, once solely a clinical diagnosis, became an all-purpose buzzword.” Etymology
Coined in the 1970s in the United States, from buzz + word.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/buzzword