busy

¹busy

adjective \ˈbi-zē\

busi·er busi·est

Definition of BUSY

1

a : engaged in action : occupied

b : being in use <found the telephone busy>

2

: full of activity : bustling <a busy seaport>

3

: foolishly or intrusively active : meddling

4

: full of distracting detail <a busy design>

— busi·ly \ˈbi-zə-lē\ adverb

— busy·ness \ˈbi-zē-nəs\ noun

Examples of BUSY

1. She's busy preparing for her test.
2. Are you busy? Can I talk to you for a minute?
3. I will be busy cleaning the house.
4. I'm sorry I haven't called. I've been so busy.
5. busy people who don't have time to cook
6. I got enough work to keep me busy for a while.
7. He is a very busy person.
8. He's been busy in the kitchen all afternoon.
9. My week has been so busy!
10. Is there any time in your busy schedule for us to have lunch next week?

Origin of BUSY

Middle English bisy, from Old English bisig; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German besich busy

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BUSY

Synonyms

active, assiduous, bustling, diligent, employed, engaged, hopping, industrious, laborious, occupied, sedulous, tied-up, working

Antonyms

idle, inactive, unbusy, unemployed, unoccupied

Related Words

knee-deep, swamped; animated, astir, buzzing, flourishing, happening, humming, lively, thriving, vibrant; absorbed, concentrating, engrossed, focused (also focussed), immersed, intent, preoccupied; alive, functional, functioning, going, living, operating, operational, operative, running; energetic, vigorous; hardworking; indefatigable, tireless, untiring

Near Antonyms

free; asleep, dormant, latent, lifeless, quiescent, sleepy; inert, passive; dead, dull, slow; inoperative, nonoperating

Synonym Discussion of BUSY

busy, industrious, diligent, assiduous, sedulous mean actively engaged or occupied. busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure <too busy to spend time with the children>. industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work <industrious employees>. diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit <very diligent in her pursuit of a degree>. assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application <assiduous practice>. sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application <a sedulous investigation of the murder>.

Rhymes with BUSY

dizzy, fizzy, frizzy, tizzy

²busy

verb

bus·ied busy·ing

Definition of BUSY

transitive verb

: to make busy : occupy

intransitive verb

: bustle <small boats busied to and fro — Quentin Crewe>

Examples of BUSY

1. <the video game busied the child for hours>

First Known Use of BUSY

before 12th century

Related to BUSY

Synonyms

absorb, bemuse, engage, catch up, engross, enthrall (or enthral), enwrap, fascinate, grip, immerse, interest, intrigue, involve, occupy

Related Words

allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, obsess; hypnotize, mesmerize; distract, preoccupy; hog, monopolize

Near Antonyms

bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

Rhymes with BUSY

dizzy