bust
buhst
Bust (verb) means to break something, especially by force. Example: “The toddler somehow busted the handle clean off the cupboard door.”
verb
1
To break something, especially by force.
"The toddler somehow busted the handle clean off the cupboard door."
"He busted the lock trying to get into the shed."
"Careful, you'll bust that chair if you keep leaning back on it."
2
To catch someone doing something wrong or illegal, or to arrest them.
"Customs officers busted a smuggler who was hiding goods in a false suitcase."
"Police busted the gang after a six-month investigation."
"She got busted for copying answers during the exam."
noun
1
A sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest.
"The museum displays a bronze bust of the town's founder beside the staircase."
"Students were asked to sketch the plaster bust on the teacher's desk."
"A marble bust of the composer stood in the entrance hall."
2
A woman's breasts, or the measurement around them.
"The seamstress measured her bust, waist and hips before cutting the fabric."
"Check the bust measurement on the size chart before you order the blouse."
"The dress comes in small, medium, and large bust sizes."
adjective
1
Broke; without any money.
"After the shop failed, the owners went bust within a year."
"We were bust by the end of the month, so we stayed in."
"I can't go out tonight, I'm completely bust."
How to use bust
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBreak something, get caught/arrested, or (as a noun) a sculpture of someone's upper body — or, informally, having no money left.
Common mistake
The "sculpture/chest" noun and the "break/arrest" verb look identical but come from different word histories — treat them as separate meanings rather than assuming one explains the other.
Common pairings
get busted
bust a move
go bust
a bronze bust
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Word forms
- Plural
- busts
- Third person singular
- busts
- Past tense
- busted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The toddler somehow _____ the handle clean off the cupboard door.
Etymology
The verb comes from a Middle English variant of "burst," so bust and burst are historically the same word. The noun meaning "head-and-shoulders sculpture" or "chest measurement" comes from a separate root, French buste.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for bust
See all rhymes for bust →Frequently asked questions
What does “bust” mean?
The word “bust” means to break something, especially by force. In plain terms, break something, get caught/arrested, or (as a noun) a sculpture of someone's upper body — or, informally, having no money left.
How do you pronounce “bust”?
“Bust” is pronounced buhst (/bʌst/ in IPA).
How do you use “bust” in a sentence?
Here is “bust” used in a sentence: “He busted the lock trying to get into the shed.”
What part of speech is “bust”?
Depending on how it is used, “bust” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “bust” come from?
The word “bust” comes from French. The verb comes from a Middle English variant of "burst," so bust and burst are historically the same word. The noun meaning "head-and-shoulders sculpture" or "chest measurement" comes from a separate root, French buste.
Is “bust” a common word?
“Bust” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bust” have?
“Bust” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to break something, especially by force.
What is the difference between bust and burst?
Burst is the standard verb for breaking open or apart suddenly, as in "the pipe burst." Bust is an informal alternative meaning to break something, especially by force. In formal writing, choose burst or break; bust suits casual speech.
Is bust a polite word for a woman's chest?
Yes. In that sense, bust is the neutral, polite term, used especially in dressmaking and clothing sizes for the measurement around a woman's chest. This contrasts with the verb senses of bust — to break or to catch someone — which are informal.
Is the past tense of bust "busted" or "bust"?
Both forms are used. American English generally prefers busted, as in "he busted the lock," while British English often uses bust, as in "the washing machine is bust." Busted is the safer choice in most writing.
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