Buzzword
noun /ˈbʌz.wɜːrd/ — A fashionable term used in a particular field or period.
Definition
A fashionable or frequently used word or phrase, especially one that sounds impressive but may be vague or meaningless in actual usage. Buzzwords arise in business, politics, and academia — filling space where precision would expose uncertainty.
Beyond the definition
Every era has its buzzwords — the words that signal belonging to the moment. They are the language of consensus, and often of evasion.
Origin & history
From 'buzz' (a buzzing sound, excited talk) + 'word'. The term emerged in mid-20th century American English as corporate and political speech became systematically analyzed.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
'Synergy', 'disruption', 'leverage as a verb' — buzzwords that signal an MBA without adding information.
The buzzword of one decade becomes the cliché of the next and the antique of the one after that.
She could always tell when someone was compensating for a shallow idea by the density of buzzwords around it.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Buzzword” when the meaning fits your context: A fashionable or frequently used word or phrase, especially one that sounds impressive but may be vague or meaningless in actual usage. Buzzwords arise in business, politics, and academia — filling space where precision would expose uncertainty.
Synonyms
jargon, catchphrase, vogue word, trendy term
Antonyms
precise term, plain speech
Related words
Buzzword vs cliché
A buzzword is a trendy term used to sound impressive in a professional or technical context. A cliché is an overused, exhausted phrase that has lost its original impact and creativity.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Vague Authoritative Presence
A person stands tall and dominant while another looks down, excluded from the process.
The authoritative but disconnected stance illustrates the function of a buzzword: filling space with impressive-sounding elements that lack precision, used by those in positions of power to maintain an aura of certainty.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Buzzword" mean?
Buzzword is noun meaning: A fashionable term used in a particular field or period.. A fashionable or frequently used word or phrase, especially one that sounds impressive but may be vague or meaningless in actual usage. Buzzwords arise in business, politics, and academia — filling space where precision would expose uncertainty.
Where does the word "Buzzword" come from?
From 'buzz' (a buzzing sound, excited talk) + 'word'. The term emerged in mid-20th century American English as corporate and political speech became systematically analyzed.