bustle
1 Americanverb (used without object)
-
bustles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
bustled,
past participle, past
-
bustling
present participle
-
to move or act with a great show of energy (often followed byabout ).
He bustled about cooking breakfast.
-
to abound or teem with something; display an abundance of something (often followed bywith ).
The office bustled with people and activity.
verb (used with object)
-
bustles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
bustled,
past participle, past
-
bustling
present participle
noun
noun
-
fullness around or below the waist of a dress, as added by a peplum, bows, ruffles, etc.
-
a pad, cushion, or framework formerly worn under the back of a woman's skirt to expand, support, and display the full cut and drape of a dress.
verb
noun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
bustlesimple
-
bustlessimple
-
have bustledperfect
-
has bustledperfect
-
am bustlingprogressive
-
are bustlingprogressive
-
is bustlingprogressive
-
have been bustlingperfect progressive
-
has been bustlingperfect progressive
Past
-
bustledsimple
-
had bustledperfect
-
was bustlingprogressive
-
were bustlingprogressive
-
had been bustlingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of bustle1
First recorded in 1615–25; Middle English bustelen “to hurry aimlessly along,” perhaps akin to Old Norse busla “to splash about, bustle”
Origin of bustle2
First recorded in 1780–90; origin uncertain
Explanation
A flurry of activity and commotion is often referred to as bustle. If you want to see true bustle in action, just walk through Times Square in New York during lunch hour. If it's busy, energetic or moving about at a rapid pace, then it's bustling. Word historians think bustle might stem from an Old Norse word meaning "to prepare." However, it's probably easier to remember bustle by the synonym it's often used with — hustle, as in "the hustle and bustle of a big city."
Vocabulary lists containing bustle
"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
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The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
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Pride
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“You get used to good money, and you still want to make it,” said Taylor, reflecting on the hundreds of patrons a day who used to bustle through his store aisles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
Thankfully, despite having more eyes on her, Seyfried discovered how she could calm her OCD symptoms, one of which involved setting up a full-time residence far away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
Informal street sellers would bustle nearby to catch passing trade.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
They bustle through the doors after the long journey, sometimes bedecked in Route 66 merchandise, and sometimes buying Mel’s own brand of Route 66 merch while there.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
I'm wearing one of the Fashion Minister's latest creations—a honey-and-marigold bustle dress with a waffle texture and a waist-sash of striped fur.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
On a Tuesday in December, the New Jersey warehouse bustles with workers preparing to list clothes, bags and accessories for sale.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 21, 2026
In his dim-lit studio, Zabtia oversees everything -- from lighting and sound to costumes -- as a small crew bustles about making his latest picture, "1986".
From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026
The bustles underpin the distinctive chemise à la reine that was popularized by fashion icon Marie Antoinette, with its cloud of white ruffles around a low neckline, sashed at the waist.
From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2025
"It is about time," he says - momentarily stopping chopping fish as the kitchen behind bustles ahead of the lunchtime sittings.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2024
The roar of wheels turning into the station, the stench of exhaust fumes, the sudden bustles of people unloading told me it was time to go.
From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin
Foshan’s luxury furniture expo center, called the Louvre, bustled with international buyers on a recent weekday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 10, 2026
Inside, the staff spoke imperfect English, but all wore smiles on their faces as they bustled around the establishment, tending to their customers.
From Slate ● Mar. 12, 2026
The bridge crossing also bustled with journalists who had come from all over the world to cover the biggest international news event so far this year.
From Barron's ● Jan. 6, 2026
Military personnel bustled in and out, appearing to bring in supplies and fuel the plane.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025
She bustled up to Mrs. Goodacre, and they conversed in an agitated whisper.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
As the city has continued to grow, it has earned a reputation for its distinct brand of laid-back luxury, offering residents a bustling culture, mild weather, and a reasonably-priced cost of living.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Yang, 91, lives on the outskirts of China's bustling capital Beijing.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Moving with his wife and favorite model, Louise, to Manhattan’s bohemian East Village in 1948, Baer trained his eye on bustling street scenes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Usually, it would be slightly more bustling than this, Sims assured me.
From Slate ● Sep. 18, 2026
Sara tilts her head toward Mrs. Kluck, who’s bustling around the display kitchen with a measuring tape, totally getting in Mrs. Hameed’s way.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
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