Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for bustle on Thesaurus.com verb (used without object), bus·tled, bus·tling. to move or act with a great show of energy (often followed by about ): He bustled about cooking breakfast. to abound or teem with something; display an abundance of something; teem (often followed by with ): The office bustled with people and activity. Show More
verb (used with object), bus·tled, bus·tling. to cause to bustle; hustle. Show More
thriving or energetic activity; stir; ferment. Show More
Origin of bustle 1 1615–25; Middle English bustelen to hurry aimlessly along, perhaps akin to Old Norse busla to splash about, bustle
Related forms bus·tler , noun bus·tling·ly , adverb un·bus·tling , adjective 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. Show More
Origin of bustle 2 First recorded in 1780–90; origin uncertain
Related forms bus·tled , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for bustle tumult ,
hubbub ,
commotion ,
hum ,
scurry ,
flit ,
pother ,
turmoil ,
to-do ,
fuss ,
do ,
agitation ,
whirlwind ,
excitement ,
whirl ,
flurry ,
haste ,
rumpus ,
furor ,
ado Examples from the Web for bustle Contemporary Examples of bustle After nine months, McKeever gradually began to introduce Roger to the bustle and noise of New York.
There is much purposeful hustle and bustle but tasks go uncompleted; confusion reigns.
Since the film is set in the 19th century, Jones was outfitted in a series of Victorian era gowns, replete with bodice and bustle .
The bustle of the newsroom is a mere backdrop for self-involved characters to give talky speeches and taunt each other.
I miss the hustle and bustle of New York when I fly in to speak or for meetings.
Historical Examples of bustle Meanwhile there had been bustle and preparation in all parts of the great vessel.
During this time there was a bustle of much interest in the paddock.
What is there in it, says she, that all this bustle is about?
It's no trial to you, Mark, to make yourself comfortable and to bustle about.
I heard the bustle of the others—of the audience going away.
British Dictionary definitions for bustle (when intr , often foll by about ) to hurry or cause to hurry with a great show of energy or activity Show More
energetic and noisy activity Show More
Derived Forms bustler , noun bustling , adjective Word Origin for bustle C16: probably from obsolete buskle to make energetic preparation, from dialect busk from Old Norse būask to prepare
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 Show More
Word Origin for bustle C18: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for bustle v. "be active," 1570s (bustling "noisy or excited activity" is from early 15c.), frequentative of Middle English bresten "to rush, break," from Old English bersten (see burst (v.)), influenced by Old Norse buask "to make oneself ready" (see busk (v.)), or from busk (v.) via a frequentative form buskle . Related: Bustled ; bustling ; bustler .
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n.2 "padding in a skirt," 1788, of uncertain origin, perhaps from German Buschel "bunch, pad," or it might be a special use of bustle (n.1) with reference to "rustling motion."
BUSTLE. A pad stuffed with cotton, feathers, bran, &c., worn by ladies for the double purpose of giving a greater rotundity or prominence to the hips, and setting off the smallness of the waist. [Bartlett, "Dictionary of Americanisms," 1848] Show More
n.1 "activity, stir, fuss, commotion," 1630s, from bustle (v.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
