bustling

1 of 2

adjective

bus·​tling ˈbəs-liŋ 

ˈbə-sə-

: full of lively activity : busily astir

a bustling market

bustling streets

Commercial ships and recreational boats were serviced by a bustling marine industry.

—AAG Abstracts

bustlingly adverb

a bustlingly busy area

bustling

2 of 2

present participle of bustle entry 1

Synonyms of bustling

Adjective

• busy
• engaged
• diligent
• employed
• occupied

Examples of bustling in a Sentence

Adjective

a bustling greeter was there to welcome guests to the grand opening

a bustling shopping center during the Christmas season

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Times have changed, and now the area is a bustling center of commerce and recreation centered around Oracle Park and the Chase Center, with a massive city park expected to break ground later this year. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2026

Adidas beamed Murray’s image onto the side of a building here in the bustling Haymarket District. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

In the ‘80s, the restaurant was near the bustling Tryon Mall, and Beligrinis remembers a steady stream of customers and businesses close by. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

In the bustling Nyamirambo sector of Kigali, customers at Moses Sansiman's milk bar are spilling out into the street holding large glass mugs full of the creamy white drink. — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1582, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bustling

• hustling