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
Cheri Mossburg, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025
And as the story moves between age-old farm communities and bustling, elegant Jerusalem, production designer Nael Kanj and costume designer Hamada Atallah create a vibrant world that’s alive with period detail.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
Bella Webb, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Deacon partnered with 160-year-old British design label Sanderson to craft interior pieces, including bustle bows and more, with the same stripe motif and nods to femininity featured in Christie’s attire.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bustle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
On a cool autumn morning in what used to be a bustling neighborhood, the only sounds came from squawking finches and juncos – not quite a rising phoenix.
—Cheri Mossburg, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025
And as the story moves between age-old farm communities and bustling, elegant Jerusalem, production designer Nael Kanj and costume designer Hamada Atallah create a vibrant world that’s alive with period detail.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
Noun
But, beyond the bustle, the fire continues to cast shadows over everyday life here.
—Bella Webb, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Deacon partnered with 160-year-old British design label Sanderson to craft interior pieces, including bustle bows and more, with the same stripe motif and nods to femininity featured in Christie’s attire.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 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 29 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share