Synonyms

bustling

American

[buhs-ling] / ˈbʌs lɪŋ /

adjective

moving or acting with a great show of energy.

I watched her preparing lunch in the kitchen—a compact, bustling woman of around forty with her hair in a tight bun.
abounding or teeming with people or activities that create an atmosphere of energy.

This midwestern city is a bustling hub for business, education, recreation, and government.

noun

the act or habit of moving or doing something with a great show of energy.

They were getting ready to leave again—it always happened in the middle of the night, with much bustling and scurrying about.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of bustling

First recorded in 1425–75; bustl(e) ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; bustl(e) ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Probably not an office building bustling with entry-level jobs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

One of these days, you’ll meet a friend at the airport and they’ll see you enjoying your glass of champagne in first class when they’re bustling their way into steerage.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

Servers in traditional red clothing were seen bustling between colourfully adorned tables, where attendees dined on dishes including Beijing roast duck, pork buns and tiramisu.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The neighborhood was bustling, filled with trendy restaurants, renovated hotels, nightclubs and luxury retailers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

“If you’d let me know sooner—” She began bustling around the huge warm kitchen, which had a stove twice the size of an ordinary stove and a table ten feet long.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023