busy

The word “busy” means having a lot to do; occupied with work or activity. In plain terms, having lots to do, or (of a place) full of activity.

“Busy” is pronounced BIHZ-ee (/ˈbɪz.i/ in IPA).

Here is “busy” used in a sentence: “I can't talk now, I'm busy with a deadline.”

Words with a similar meaning to “busy” include swamped.

Depending on how it is used, “busy” can be an adjective and a verb.

The word “busy” comes from Old English. From Old English bisig ("occupied, diligent"). The unusual spelling with "u" comes from Midland and Southern English dialects, even though the modern pronunciation follows the Eastern dialects' vowel sound.

“Busy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Busy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a lot to do; occupied with work or activity.

Busy means having a lot to do and being constantly occupied. Productive means actually getting valuable results from that activity. You can be busy without being productive — rushing between tasks all day yet achieving little — which is why the two words are worth keeping apart.

Busy is neutral and depends on context. It can be positive, suggesting a thriving business or an engaged, active life, or negative, implying someone is overwhelmed, stressed, or too unavailable to help. The same word can flatter or complain depending on how and where it is used.

The opposite of busy is free, idle, or available — having little or nothing that needs doing. A busy schedule is packed; a free one has open time. Other contrasts include unoccupied, at leisure, and quiet, as when a normally hectic shop has a slow afternoon.

You might say, 'She's too busy to take a lunch break,' or 'The shop is always busy on Saturdays.' The word describes a person full of tasks or a place full of activity, both signalling that there is a great deal going on.