bustling
Americanadjective
-
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
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.
Shops closed, the enclave’s bustling street life receded.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
Hours later, when I looked at Stevens’ X feed, I was surprised to see a photo of our interview, appearing as though we reporters were part of a bustling roundtable Stevens had held with voters.
From Slate ● Jul. 30, 2026
The new ones are thick enough to block the bustling noise of surrounding streets, offering silence in units that's uncharacteristic of New York City apartments.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Yet, at the bustling Jantar Mantar itself, the atmosphere is often festive.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
“Excuse me!” cried Mrs. Malvolio, bustling through the packed ballroom, working her way toward the stage.
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
