bustles; bustled; bustling
1
: to move or go in a busy or hurried way
She bustled around the kitchen getting ready for dinner guests.
2
: to have a lot of busy activity
—often + with
The pier is always bustling with people.
: noisy or busy activity
The countryside seems very quiet after the hustle and bustle of the city.
plural bustles
: a frame or pad worn in the past under a skirt or dress to hold it out from the body in the back
Cite this Entry
“Bustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/bustle. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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