What does buzzword mean?
A buzzword is a word or phrase that becomes suddenly fashionable within a particular field — most often business, politics, advertising, or technology — and is used repeatedly, sometimes to the point of emptiness. Terms such as 'synergy', 'paradigm shift', or 'disruption' typically start life as genuine shorthand for a real concept, but once they spread widely they are often deployed to impress audiences, signal insider status, or obscure a lack of concrete detail rather than to communicate clearly. For this reason, describing a term as a buzzword is almost always critical: it suggests the word is overused, vague, or hollow. The label is applied both to the terms themselves and, figuratively, to the style of language that relies on them. Knowing the word matters because it equips readers to recognize when persuasive language is substituting fashion for substance — a distinction valuable in evaluating everything from corporate strategy documents to political speeches.
nounA word or phrase that is fashionable in a particular context, especially in business, politics, or technology, and often used to impress rather than to convey precise meaning.
- A currently fashionable word or phrase used in business, politics, or technology, often more to signal belonging or impress than to communicate precisely.
"'Synergy' has become the quintessential corporate buzzword, invoked far more often than it is understood."
"The startup's pitch deck was full of buzzwords like 'disruption' and 'scalability' but short on concrete details."
"Critics dismissed the policy as little more than a collection of buzzwords designed to sound progressive."
Standard regular plural; commonly used when discussing jargon collectively.
"The report was padded with buzzwords instead of measurable goals."
It began as American college slang for a 'key word' — a term that unlocked a subject — before morphing into our favourite way to mock empty office jargon.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of buzzword
The word is a compound of 'buzz' (echoing the hum of excited talk) and 'word'. It originated as American student slang in the mid-20th century, where it meant a key word or catchphrase essential to mastering a subject. By the second half of the century its meaning had shifted toward the modern sense of a fashionable, often empty vogue term, particularly in business and political discourse.
Related word forms
How buzzword is actually used
The word carries a mildly pejorative connotation: calling something a buzzword usually implies skepticism about its substance or the speaker's motives. It is common in both informal commentary and serious criticism of professional jargon, and is especially frequent in discussions of management, marketing, and technology culture.