bustle

verb

bus·tle | \ ˈbə-səl

How to pronounce bustle (audio)

\

bustled; bustling\ ˈbəs-liŋ

How to pronounce bustling (audio)

, ˈbə-sə- \

Definition of bustle

(Entry 1 of 3)

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.

bustle

noun (1)

Definition of bustle (Entry 2 of 3)

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

bustle

noun (2)

Definition of bustle (Entry 3 of 3)

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

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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

History and Etymology for bustle

Verb and Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

origin unknown

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Dictionary Entries near bustle

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Time Traveler for bustle

The first known use of bustle was in 1548

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More Definitions for bustle

bustle

verb

English Language Learners Definition of bustle

: to move or go in a busy or hurried way

: to have a lot of busy activity

See the full definition for bustle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bustle

verb

bus·tle | \ ˈbə-səl

\

bustled; bustling

Kids Definition of bustle

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to move about in a busy or noisy way

bustle

noun

Kids Definition of bustle (Entry 2 of 2)

: busy or noisy activity

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