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
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bustlesimple
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bustlessimple
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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:
The temple grounds are filled with trees and the bustle of the city feels far away.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 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
The jokester revealed that he initially came across the pad when he was living in the hustle and bustle of New York City and wanted a peaceful getaway.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 16, 2026
But in the capital Porto-Novo, turnout for Sunday's vote ranged from 20 to 40 percent at some polling stations, while life in economic capital Cotonou was largely back to its usual bustle by Monday.
From Barron's ● Apr. 13, 2026
Then it was all over, the bustle, the laughter, the noise.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
His charming, whimsical collection featured ruffled tutus, sculptured soft knits, peplum jackets, skirts with bustles and plenty of shearling fabric.
From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2026
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
Just bustles right into the kitchen, pulls out a box of spaghetti, and puts water on to boil.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
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
As he painted what was left of Everest Burgers, Lake Avenue, Altadena’s commercial thoroughfare, bustled with toiling emergency workers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2025
“I’ll do that,” she said, and bustled away.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
In bustling Mong Kok there was Luck Win, known for its generous discounts, and Greenfield, with its packed floor-to-ceiling shelves.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
There, I met Dan, an affable middle-aged fellow with gray tufts of hair, who was bustling around with a vacuum.
From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026
On the sidewalk in front of the bustling restaurant, the Wong family had set up a table selling Heart’s-branded T-shirts, with all proceeds going to the Wongs’ retirement fund.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Shops closed, the enclave’s bustling street life receded.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
The tap of ice on the window was the only sound for a whole seven seconds before Grandma came bustling into my room.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
