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

Explanation

A flurry of activity and commotion is often referred to as bustle. If you want to see true bustle in action, just walk through Times Square in New York during lunch hour. If it's busy, energetic or moving about at a rapid pace, then it's bustling. Word historians think bustle might stem from an Old Norse word meaning "to prepare." However, it's probably easier to remember bustle by the synonym it's often used with — hustle, as in "the hustle and bustle of a big city."

Example Sentences

The jokester revealed that he initially came across the pad when he was living in the hustle and bustle of New York City and wanted a peaceful getaway.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

But in the capital Porto-Novo, turnout for Sunday's vote ranged from 20 to 40 percent at some polling stations, while life in economic capital Cotonou was largely back to its usual bustle by Monday.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

I know it’s time for a spring refresh when the bustle of holiday and winter cooking starts to linger.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

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 • Jan. 5, 2026

He heard sounds all around them and thought them to be the sounds of Village: soft laughter, quiet conversation, and the bustle of daily work and happy lives.

From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry

Related Words

• commotion
• hubbub
• tumult