busking

[ buhs-king ]

noun

1. the act or practice of entertaining by dancing, singing, juggling, etc., on the street or in a public place:

   When I lived and studied in London for a year and a half, I brought my guitar along and did some busking in the streets.

adjective

1. engaged in this kind of public entertainment:

   My interviewee was late meeting me in the square, so while waiting I struck up a conversation with a busking musician.

Word History and Origins

Origin of busking¹

First recorded in 1770–80; busk ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun; busk ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective

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

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

Nixon made it through college at Miami University then headed out to London to attempt to break into the booming punk rock movement, only to find himself busking on the streets.

From Los Angeles Times