busking

American  

[buhs-king] / bʌs kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or practice of entertaining by dancing, singing, juggling, etc., on the street or in a public place.

   When I lived and studied in London for a year and a half, I brought my guitar along and did some busking in the streets.

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adjective

1. engaged in this kind of public entertainment.

   My interviewee was late meeting me in the square, so while waiting I struck up a conversation with a busking musician.

Etymology

Origin of busking

First recorded in 1770–80; busk ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; busk ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

Almost all vehicles are prohibited from entering the enhanced security zone that encompasses about 14 blocks of the popular area packed with bars, restaurants, shops and vendors where busking musicians play jazz tunes on horns.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2025

Three years ago, Cat Burns was busking on the streets of London when one of her older songs, Go, went viral on TikTok.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2024

He was said to have been a passionate musician and was described as "very popular" in Greenford, often busking for charity.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2024

Nixon made it through college at Miami University then headed out to London to attempt to break into the booming punk rock movement, only to find himself busking on the streets.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2024

I belonged in a city with a constant stream of traffic noise, busy pedestrians, and musicians busking on the sidewalk.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi