bustled; bustling
ˈbəs-liŋ 
ˈbə-sə-
1
: to move briskly and often ostentatiously
bustled around the kitchen
2
: to be busily astir : teem
The house was bustling with activity.
: noisy, energetic, and often obtrusive activity
the hustle and bustle of the big city
clothing
: a pad or framework expanding and supporting the fullness and drapery of the back of a woman's skirt or dress
the bustle of a 19th century wedding gown
also
: the drapery so supported
Examples of bustle in a Sentence
Verb
She bustled around the kitchen getting ready for dinner guests.
on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop
Noun (1)
I couldn't concentrate in all the bustle of the student lounge
Recent Examples on the Web
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
But the woman, known to many as the iconic girl-next-door Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years, isn't fazed by her full and bustling life.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 5 Nov. 2025
Heran Mamo, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
Larger cities provide better healthcare, transit, and cultural amenities but come with higher prices and more bustle.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bustle
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Verb
Vote of confidence Heweliusz represents a huge vote of confidence from Netflix in CEE as the streamer celebrates its decade in a region that punches above its weight and has a bustling local entertainment sector.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
But the woman, known to many as the iconic girl-next-door Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years, isn't fazed by her full and bustling life.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Saszy Afroshii, who’s produced for Fave, Qing Madi and Tiwa Savage, says inspiration strikes anywhere in the midst of Lagos’ hustle and bustle, but opportunities aren’t always that easy to find.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
Larger cities provide better healthcare, transit, and cultural amenities but come with higher prices and more bustle.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bustle
Cite this Entry
“Bustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bustle. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bustle
1 of 2 verb
bus·tle
ˈbəs-əl
bustled; bustling
ˈbəs-(ə-)liŋ
: to move about busily or noisily
bustle
2 of 2 noun
: noisy or energetic activity
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