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

Such large venues are a drastic change of scenery for the 31-year-old singer, who began his musical career busking in Medellín buses and streets, and was once dubbed “El Cantante Del Ghetto.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

A pop-up shop selling merchandise will be set up, and there will be live busking in Alderman Park next to Portman Road stadium from 13:30 daily.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2025

The suspension of two busking performance pitches in London's Leicester Square has come into force after a court ruling.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025

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

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