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definitions

busywork

[ biz-ee-wurk ]
/ ˈbɪz iˌwɜrk /

noun

work assigned for the sake of looking or keeping busy.

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Nearby words

  1. busy signal,
  2. busy work,
  3. busy-work,
  4. busybody,
  5. busyness,
  6. but,
  7. but and ben,
  8. but for,
  9. but good,
  10. but-

Origin of busywork

First recorded in 1840–50; busy + work
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Word Origin and History for busy-work

busy-work

n.

also busy work, 1910, from busy (adj.) + work (n.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper