7 Words For The Sound Of A Vibrating Phone (Onomatopoeia)

Phones are one of the most common household items in the world. Almost everybody has them, which means almost everybody receives texts and notifications. In turn, phones vibrate, and this article will run you through some of the best words we can use to showcase the sound.

Which Words Can Describe The Sound Of A Vibrating Phone?

There are some great ways we can describe the sound of a vibrating phone. Try one of the following to see which works best:

• Bzzt
• Vzzt
• Bfft
• Brzzt
• Whrt
• Burr
• Mmm

The preferred versions are “bzzt” and “vzzt.” They are almost identical, but we can use the different starting letters to demonstrate different sounds (slightly). Most people will use them interchangeably, which is what makes them such good candidates for vibrating phone sounds.

Bzzt

“Bzzt” is a great way for us to show that a phone is vibrating. The repeated “Z” letters mean that an electronic buzz is echoing. Typically, phones would have to be sitting on harder surfaces when they buzz like this, and we would need to be able to hear them.

Phones can also buzz in softer places (like on beds or carpets), but the “Bzzt” is usually much duller. It might be better to use only one “Z” (“bzt”) in these cases to show that it’s a less distinct vibration.

• Bzzt! Bzzt! I have a new text message, so I’m just going to answer it.
• Bzzt! Bzzt! Is that a phone call? I haven’t heard it buzz twice before. Bzzt! Bzzt! Oh, it’s definitely a phone call.
• Bzzt! Bzzt! I think someone wants your attention.

Vzzt

“Vzzt” is a good alternative where “V” takes the lead of the word. “V” and “B” are almost identical in pronunciation when they are created with a closed mouth. Most people won’t even be able to tell the difference between the two.

We included them both because it’s easier to tell them apart when they are written down. If you asked someone to recreate a phone vibrating for you, they would most likely use “bzzt” or “vzzt” with their mouth, but you’d have no way of knowing which one they meant.

• Vzzt! Vzzt! Are you getting any of his messages? It seems like you are.
• Vzzt! Vzzt! I don’t like listening to my phone buzz. I really don’t care what people have to say right now!
• Vzzt! Are you going to answer that? Vzzt! It could be important. Vzzt!

Bfft

“Bfft” is another alternative that we have yet to touch on. We don’t always need “Z’s” (even though they work really well for electronic buzzing). Sometimes, we can use other closed-mouth consonants like “F’s” to recreate the same humming noise.

A closed-mouth consonant is any consonant in the English language that can be pronounced as a sound without opening the mouth. “F” and “Z” are great examples that allow us to create a more buzzy sound.

• Bfft! Bfft! Why does your vibrate mode sound different from mine? I like it!
• Bfft! Bfft! Bfft! I think it’s reminding me that it has a low battery. I’ll get around to sorting that in a second.
• Bfft! Bfft! I haven’t even touched my phone all day. I don’t know where it could be, but I know I can hear it.

Brzzt

“Brzzt” is great because it adds an extra step. The “R” letter can come in handy when we want to show that the noise lasts slightly longer than a typical buzz.

Remember, the most important thing about onomatopoeia is that there are no wrong answers. You don’t even have to use the words in this list. We’re just giving you guidelines that feature some of the most common sound words for vibrating phones.

• Brzzt! Brzzt! Are you not listening? Your phone has been doing that for hours.
• Brzzt! If someone wants my attention, they can keep trying! I won’t answer.
• Brzzt! That’s the stuff! Keep buzzing him, mom! Eventually, he’ll choose to pick up!

Whrt

“Whrt” is an interesting choice because it removes the buzz that most people expect from a vibrating phone. Instead, we can use the letters to combine into a lower, vibrating noise. It works best when your phone is on softer materials (like carpets), and the vibration gets muffled.

• Whrt! Whrt! I think it wants my attention, but I can’t seem to find it on this carpet!
• Whrt! Whrt! Can you hear that? What is that noise? Is that my phone?
• Whrt! Whrt! I’m sure that’s the second time it’s buzzed like that. Maybe you should answer it.

Burr

“Burr” is another way for us to show that a phone is buzzing. We can include the vowel “U” in this case because it shows that there’s a bit more of a drawn-out buzz to it.

No other word has a vowel in it in this list, which makes “burr” a unique candidate. It’s great when you want to show that it seems like the phone is almost talking to you to get your attention.

• Burr! Burr! I’m coming phone! Just bear with me! I’ve only just gotten out of bed.
• Burr burr! Where did I put my phone again? I’m sure I left it somewhere over here.
• Burr! Is that your phone or mine? Burr! Burr! It can’t be mine! Though, I can’t remember where I left it.

Mmm

“Mmm” works well when the vibration sounds more like a hum. Some phones vibrate like this when they are on harder surfaces (like coffee tables or wooden floors).

The connection between the phone and the hard surface is usually what creates the drone and hum. The repeated “M’s” can be all you need to showcase the vibration. You can also increase the amount of “M’s” if you want to increase the length of the buzz.

• Mmm! Mmm! Can you answer that phone, please? It’s been vibrating for ages now!
• Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! Does anybody know where I left my phone? Mmm! Mmm! I can hear it, but I can’t see it.
• Mmm! Mmm! Is that humming coming from you? I think you’ve put your phone down somewhere, and someone is calling you.