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busyness

[biz-ee-nis]
See more synonyms for busyness on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the quality or condition of being busy.
  2. lively but meaningless activity.
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Origin of busyness

First recorded in 1840–50; busy + -ness
Related formsnon·bus·y·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for busyness

Historical Examples

  • Tom, standing with hat in hand, was impressed with his busyness.

    The Walking Delegate

    Leroy Scott

  • I shouldn't have called it restlessness so much as busyness.

    Lore of Proserpine

    Maurice Hewlett

  • Add the ordinary impediments of life, and admire my busyness.

  • Of course, out of doors the bees do this; their “busyness” materially aiding the gardener.

    Small Gardens

    Violet Purton Biddle

  • I contented myself with the appearance of busyness, and wondered how long it would be before my chief caught me out.

    A Case in Camera

    Oliver Onions

Word Origin and History for busyness

n.

1849, first attested in Thoreau, from busy (adj.) + -ness. A modern formation made necessary after business evolved away from busy.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper