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1

busy

play
adjective \ˈbi-zē\

Definition of busy

busier

;

busiest

  1. 1a :  engaged in action :  occupied She's busy studying. has enough work to keep him busy for a whileb :  being in use found the telephone busy

  2. 2 :  full of activity :  bustling a busy seaport

  3. 3 :  foolishly or intrusively active :  meddling a busy, fussy sort of man much concerned with regulating everything — A. M. Young

  4. 4 :  full of distracting detail a busy design

busily

play \ˈbi-zə-lē\ adverb

busyness

play \ˈbi-zē-nəs\ noun

See busy defined for English-language learners

See busy defined for kids

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Examples of busy in a sentence

  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 and Etymology of busy

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


First Known Use: before 12th century

busy Synonyms

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
2

busy

verb

Definition of busy

busied

;

busying
  1. transitive verb

  2. :  to make engaged in action :  to make busy (see 1busy 1a) :  occupy busied herself about the room

  3. intransitive verb

  4. :  bustle small boats busied to and fro — Quentin Crewe

See busy defined for English-language learners

Examples of busy in a sentence

  1. the video game busied the child for hours

Origin and Etymology of busy

see 1busy


First Known Use: before 12th century

busy Synonyms

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

Phrases related to BUSY

Related Phrases

BUSY Defined for English Language Learners

1

busy

play
adjective \ˈbi-zē\

Definition of busy for English Language Learners

  • : actively doing something

  • : full of activity or work

  • : full of people or things

BUSY Defined for Kids

1

busy

play
adjective \ˈbi-zē\

Definition of busy for Students

busier

;

busiest

  1. 1 :  actively at work

  2. 2 :  being used I tried to call, but the line was busy.

  3. 3 :  full of activity a busy day

busily

\ˈbi-zə-lē\ adverb
2

busy

play
verb

Definition of busy for Students

busied

;

busying

  1. :  to make busy I busied myself with chores.

Learn More about busy

  1. See words that rhyme with busy Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for busy Spanish Central: Translation of busy Nglish: Translation of busy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of busy for Arabic speakers

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