busy

[ biz-ee ]

adjective

, bus·i·er, bus·i·est.

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)

, bus·ied, bus·y·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈbusyness, noun

Other Words From

• non·busy adjective
• over·busy adjective
• super·busy adjective
• un·busy adjective
• well-busied 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

She returned to public duties last week, but is understood to still be under the weather after a busy week of engagements.

From BBC

Chris Campbell - a tax specialist at Icas, the institute of chartered accountants in Scotland - says its members have been busy this month with approaches for advice.

From BBC

Jacqui Baker, head of retail at RSM UK, said the figures were "concerning" given that most retailers are now heading into their busiest time of the year with Christmas only a few weeks away.

From BBC

London Liverpool Street has retained its title of Britain's busiest railway station as passenger numbers soared over the past year, new figures show.

From BBC

“He was a busy guy,” his father said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bustling
• full
• hectic
• lively
• restless