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

And then there are some activities, like busking, that are allowed only at designated spots, and aspiring performers must pass auditions judged by a panel from the National Arts Council.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

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

Segarra grew up in the Bronx and left home just after turning 17, eventually ending up busking in a street band in New Orleans and riding freight trains during the hottest Louisiana months.

From New York Times • Feb. 23, 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