bustle

¹ American  

[buhs-uhl] / ˈbʌs əl /

verb (used without object)

bustled, bustling

1. to move or act with a great show of energy (often followed byabout ).

   He bustled about cooking breakfast.

2. to abound or teem with something; display an abundance of something (often followed bywith ).

   The office bustled with people and activity.

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verb (used with object)

bustled, bustling

1. to cause to bustle; hustle.

noun

1. thriving or energetic activity; stir; ferment.

   Synonyms:

   fuss, agitation, flurry, ado, teem, overflow, brim

bustle ² American  

[buhs-uhl] / ˈbʌs əl /

noun

1. fullness around or below the waist of a dress, as added by a peplum, bows, ruffles, etc.

2. 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.

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bustle ¹ British  

/ ˈbʌsəl /

verb

1. to hurry or cause to hurry with a great show of energy or activity

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noun

1. energetic and noisy activity

bustle ² British  

/ ˈbʌsəl /

noun

1. a cushion or a metal or whalebone framework worn by women in the late 19th century at the back below the waist in order to expand the skirt

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Other Word Forms

• bustled adjective
• bustler noun
• bustling adjective

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

Example Sentences

She sucked on her candy and eyed me for a moment or two as we reached the bustling second-floor landing.

From Literature

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

The motel was a magnet for rock-and-rollers and folk artists seeking affordable housing close to the bustling Hollywood music scene.

From Los Angeles Times

The reflected bustle of the city, its buses and buildings, represents her effort to reorient herself a year after her arrival in America.

From The Wall Street Journal

The home was later described as her personal “sanctuary,” where she was able to escape the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, particularly during her lengthy cancer battle.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• commotion
• hubbub
• tumult