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
Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
But certain climactic scenes also play out on Tehran’s bustling streets.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Visitors also discovered a Zen Room with agarwood scents, cushions and bell chimes, offering a tranquil pause before returning to the bustle of Paris.
—Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bustle
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Verb
As underwhelming Lumiose ends up being when measured against the expectation of a bustling metropolis like that of Pokémon Black and White’s Castelia City, there is never a shortage of things to do in between main missions.
—Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
But certain climactic scenes also play out on Tehran’s bustling streets.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
For less hustle and bustle, busiest avoid traveling Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Visitors also discovered a Zen Room with agarwood scents, cushions and bell chimes, offering a tranquil pause before returning to the bustle of Paris.
—Footwear News, 15 Oct. 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 23 Oct. 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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