busy

[biz-ee]

adjective

busier, busiest 

1. actively and attentively engaged in work or a pastime.

   busy with her work.

   Synonyms: hardworking, assiduous
   Antonyms: indolent

2. not at leisure; otherwise engaged.

   He couldn't see any visitors because he was busy.

   Synonyms: working, occupied
   Antonyms: unoccupied

3. full of or characterized by activity.

   a busy life.

4. (of a telephone line) in use by a party or parties and not immediately accessible.

5. officious; meddlesome; prying.

6. ornate, disparate, or clashing in design or colors; cluttered with small, unharmonious details; fussy.

   The rug is too busy for this room.

verb (used with object)

busied, busying 

1. to keep occupied; make or keep busy.

   In summer, he busied himself keeping the lawn in order.

busy

/ ˈbɪzɪ /

adjective

1. actively or fully engaged; occupied

2. crowded with or characterized by activity

   a busy day

3. (of a room, telephone line, etc) in use; engaged

4. overcrowded with detail

   a busy painting

5. meddlesome; inquisitive; prying

verb

1. (tr) to make or keep (someone, esp oneself) busy; occupy

Other Word Forms

• busyness noun
• nonbusy adjective
• overbusy adjective
• superbusy adjective
• unbusy adjective
• well-busied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of busy¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English busi, bisi, Old English bysig, bisig; cognate with Middle Low German, Middle Dutch besich, Dutch bezig

Word History and Origins

Origin of busy¹

Old English bisig ; related to Middle Dutch besich , perhaps to Latin festīnāre to hurry

Idioms and Phrases

• get busy

Synonym Study

Busy, diligent, industrious imply active or earnest effort to accomplish something, or a habitual attitude of such earnestness. Busy means actively employed, temporarily or habitually: a busy official. Diligent suggests earnest and constant effort or application, and usually connotes fondness for, or enjoyment of, what one is doing: a diligent student. Industrious often implies a habitual characteristic of steady and zealous application, often with a definite goal: an industrious clerk working for promotion.

Example Sentences

Sonia Bompastor's side finished 12 points clear of Arsenal last season, but with a busy transfer window behind them the Gunners will hope to be closer challengers.

From BBC

The Elizabeth line and the Overground will operate as normal but will be much busier, as will the capital's roads.

From BBC

But the musician's archive, which runs to some 90,000 objects, will keep scholars busy for years.

From BBC

Four letters distilled a practice that could take decades to internalize, making it repeatable even in the chaos of a busy kitchen.

From Salon

We found this character — because obviously, she’s very busy and touring — that could be a small role, but it’s an impactful one.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bustling 
• full 
• hectic 
• lively 
• restless