bustle
BUH-suhl
Bustle (noun) means Busy, energetic activity and movement, especially of a crowd. Example: “She loved the bustle of the market on Saturday mornings.”
noun
1
Busy, energetic activity and movement, especially of a crowd.
"She loved the bustle of the market on Saturday mornings."
verb
1
To move about quickly and busily, often with a sense of purpose or fuss.
"Waiters bustled between the tables, taking orders."
"The kitchen staff bustled about before the dinner rush."
How to use bustle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA busy flurry of movement, or to move around quickly and purposefully.
Common pairings
hustle and bustle
bustle about
the bustle of the city
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Word forms
- Plural
- bustles
- Third person singular
- bustles
- Past tense
- bustled
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She loved the _____ of the market on Saturday mornings.
Etymology
From Middle English bustlen, possibly linked to Old Norse búask ("to prepare oneself"), with echoes of an older word meaning "to beat or pummel."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for bustle
See all rhymes for bustle →Frequently asked questions
What does “bustle” mean?
The word “bustle” means busy, energetic activity and movement, especially of a crowd. In plain terms, a busy flurry of movement, or to move around quickly and purposefully.
How do you pronounce “bustle”?
“Bustle” is pronounced BUH-suhl (/ˈbʌsəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “bustle” in a sentence?
Here is “bustle” used in a sentence: “She loved the bustle of the market on Saturday mornings.”
What part of speech is “bustle”?
Depending on how it is used, “bustle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bustle” come from?
The word “bustle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bustlen, possibly linked to Old Norse búask ("to prepare oneself"), with echoes of an older word meaning "to beat or pummel.".
How many meanings does “bustle” have?
“Bustle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: busy, energetic activity and movement, especially of a crowd.
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