What does vuvuzela mean?
A vuvuzela is a long, usually plastic horn that produces a loud, sustained, high-pitched sound when blown. The instrument is especially associated with football supporters, but it is also used at rallies, celebrations, festivals, and other public gatherings. During the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the collective blast of vuvuzelas became one of the tournament's most recognizable sounds and helped introduce the word to an international audience. In ordinary use, the term often carries an energetic, communal, slightly unruly connotation; the sound can be exhilarating for supporters but tiresome or intrusive to others. Because of its distinctive name and sound, “vuvuzela” has moved beyond football to describe similar horns at public events. It is standard in South African English and now familiar in British and American usage, often in the plural “vuvuzelas.”
nounA long, usually plastic horn that produces a loud, sustained, high-pitched sound when blown. It is especially associated with football supporters but is also used at rallies, celebrations, festivals, and other public events.
- A long plastic horn that produces a loud, sustained, high-pitched sound, typically used by supporters at sporting events or by people at rallies, celebrations, and other gatherings.
"A fan raised a purple vuvuzela and blasted it as the teams entered the stadium."
"Supporters filled the stands with the droning sound of vuvuzelas."
"She blew her vuvuzela to announce that the parade had reached the square."
The regular plural adds -s and is commonly used when referring to multiple instruments or the combined sound of a crowd playing them.
"The fans blew their vuvuzelas as the goals were scored."
At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a sea of vuvuzelas turned the stadium roar into an unforgettable global buzz.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vuvuzela
The word was borrowed into English from South African usage, where it derives from isiZulu (Zulu). It became especially prominent through football crowds in South Africa and reached a global audience during the 2010 World Cup. Its English meaning now centers on the long plastic horn and the characteristic sustained sound it produces.
Related word forms
How vuvuzela is actually used
The term is standard in South African English and is now familiar in British and American usage. It often has an energetic, communal, and sometimes unruly or intrusive connotation.