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

Derived 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.

Once bustling with businesses, the place is "practically a ghost town, there's hardly anyone left," he said.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

The bustling food hall brings together cuisines from around the world under one roof, so you can indulge in a variety of deliciousness.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

In close proximity to the sandstone peaks of Zion National Park, St. George has a bustling downtown for travelers to return to after a day of hiking.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

The seaport was bustling, the food exquisite, the Moldovan wine plentiful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Inside, with a great deal of joyous bustling that in fact accomplished little, the enchantresses hurried to straighten up the chamber.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

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