bustling

[ buhs-ling ]

adjective

1. moving or acting with a great show of energy:

   I watched her preparing lunch in the kitchen—a compact, bustling woman of around forty with her hair in a tight bun.

2. abounding or teeming with people or activities that create an atmosphere of energy:

   This midwestern city is a bustling hub for business, education, recreation, and government.

noun

1. the act or habit of moving or doing something with a great show of energy:

   They were getting ready to leave again—it always happened in the middle of the night, with much bustling and scurrying about.

Other Words From

• bus·tling·ly adverb
• un·bus·tling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bustling¹

First recorded in 1425–75; bustl(e) ¹( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; bustl(e) ¹( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

The environment of a typical studio is quieter and more intimate than a bustling gym.

From Los Angeles Times

Larchmont/Hancock Park It pains me to give one of my favorite neighborhoods in the entire city a sub-par rank but the delightful meander that is two bustling blocks of Larchmont Boulevard isn’t enough to offset the quick transition into full residential territory just a block in either direction.

From Los Angeles Times

It gets extra points for the pedestrian bridges over the bustling Pacific Coast Highway that help folks get safely from the shops-and-restaurants part of town to the beach.

From Los Angeles Times

When Monica Figueroa was sent to work in New York City for a few months, she struggled to make friends in the bustling city.

From Los Angeles Times

On Ukraine’s frosty battlefields, in bustling urban cafes in Europe and Asia, on Middle Eastern street corners, there were gasps and widened eyes as the news flashed on televisions and smartphone screens.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aggressive
• alive
• bold
• busy
• determined
• diligent
• dynamic
• eager
• energetic
• engaged
• enthusiastic
• forceful
• intense
• keen
• lively
• quick
• ready
• resolute