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bustle

play
verb bus·tle \ ˈbə-səl \

Definition of bustle

bustled; bustling play \ˈbəs-liŋ, ˈbə-sə-\
intransitive verb
1 :to move briskly and often ostentatiously
  • bustled around the kitchen
2 :to be busily astir :teem
  • The house was bustling with activity.

See bustle defined for English-language learners

See bustle defined for kids

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Examples of bustle in a Sentence

  1. She bustled around the kitchen getting ready for dinner guests.

  2. on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop

Origin and Etymology of bustle

probably alteration of obsolete buskle to prepare, frequentative of busk, from Old Norse būask to prepare oneself

bustle Synonyms

Synonyms
brim, bristle, bulge, burst, abound, buzz, crawl, hum, overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem
Antonyms
crawl, creep, poke
Related Words
beetle, dart, flit, scamper, scud, scuffle; stampede, streak, whiz (or whizz); gallop, jog, sprint; accelerate, quicken, step out; catch up, fast-forward, outpace, outrun, outstrip, overtake; arrow, beeline
Near Antonyms
lack, need, want
2

bustle

noun

Definition of bustle

:noisy, energetic, and often obtrusive activity
  • the hustle and bustle of the big city

Origin and Etymology of bustle

see 1bustle

3

bustle

noun

Definition of bustle

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 nineteenth century wedding gown
; also :the drapery so supported

Origin and Etymology of bustle

origin unknown

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

BUSTLE Defined for English Language Learners

bustle

play
verb

Definition of bustle for English Language Learners

  • : to move or go in a busy or hurried way

  • : to have a lot of busy activity

BUSTLE Defined for Kids

1

bustle

play
verb bus·tle \ ˈbə-səl \

Definition of bustle for Students

bustled; bustling
:to move about in a busy or noisy way
2

bustle

noun

Definition of bustle for Students

:busy or noisy activity

Learn More about bustle

  1. See words that rhyme with bustle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bustle Spanish Central: Translation of bustle Nglish: Translation of bustle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bustle for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bustle

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agreeable, attractive, or delicious

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Examples: bustle in a Sentence