busk

[ buhsk ]

verb (used without object)

1. to entertain by dancing, singing, reciting, juggling, etc., on the street or in a public place.
2. Canadian. to make a showy or noisy appeal.

busk

¹

/ bʌsk /

noun

1. a strip of whalebone, wood, steel, etc, inserted into the front of a corset to stiffen it
2. archaic.
   the corset itself

busk

²

/ bʌsk /

verb

1. intr to make money by singing, dancing, acting, etc, in public places, as in front of theatre queues

busk

³

/ bʌsk /

verb

1. to make ready; prepare
2. to dress or adorn

Derived Forms

• ˈbusking, noun
• ˈbusker, noun

Other Words From

• busk·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of busk¹

First recorded in 1850–55; origin unclear; perhaps, if earlier sense was “to make a living by entertaining,” from Polari, from Italian buscare “to procure, get, gain,” from Spanish buscar “to look for, seek”

Word History and Origins

Origin of busk¹

C16: from Old French busc , probably from Old Italian busco splinter, stick, of Germanic origin

Origin of busk²

C20: perhaps from Spanish buscar to look for

Origin of busk³

C14: from Old Norse būask , from būa to make ready, dwell; see bower ¹

Example Sentences

Three years ago, Cat Burns was busking on the streets of London when one of her older songs, Go, went viral on TikTok.

From BBC

"I must have played thousands and thousands of gigs, and I've busked and played at funerals and weddings," he says.

From BBC

He went busking to raise money for the Ukrainian military and there’s a fight club to help him stand up to the school bullies.

From BBC

He was said to have been a passionate musician and was described as "very popular" in Greenford, often busking for charity.

From BBC

Segarra grew up in the Bronx and left home just after turning 17, eventually ending up busking in a street band in New Orleans and riding freight trains during the hottest Louisiana months.

From New York Times