First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1busy
adjective \ˈbi-zē\
: actively doing something
: full of activity or work
: full of people or things
busi·erbusi·est
Full Definition of BUSY
1
a : engaged in action : occupied b : being in use <found the telephone busy>
2
: full of activity : bustling <a busy seaport>
3
: foolishly or intrusively active : meddling
4
: full of distracting detail <a busy design>
— busi·ly \ˈbi-zə-lē\ adverb
— busy·ness \ˈbi-zē-nəs\ noun
See busy defined for English-language learners
See busy defined for kids
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Origin of BUSY
Middle English bisy, from Old English bisig; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German besich busy
Related to BUSY
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>.
2busy
verb
bus·iedbusy·ing
Definition of BUSY
transitive verb
: to make busy : occupy
intransitive verb
: bustle <small boats busied to and fro — Quentin Crewe>
See busy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BUSY
before 12th century
Related to BUSY
Rhymes with BUSY
BUSY Defined for Kids
1busy
adjective \ˈbi-zē\
busi·erbusi·est
Definition of BUSY for Kids
1
: actively at work
2
: being used <I tried to call, but the line was busy.>
3
: full of activity <a busy day>
— busi·ly \ˈbi-zə-lē\ adverb
2busy
verb
bus·iedbusy·ing
Definition of BUSY for Kids
: to make busy <I busied myself with chores.>
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