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.
Surrounded by the windswept desert and towering mountains, locals are keenly aware of how improbable it was that a bustling town and verdant fields arose in this unforgiving terrain—and how swiftly it all might disappear.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
Dozens of curious onlookers gathered on Wednesday as the crew shut roads in bustling central Madrid, where AFP saw the 90-year-old oversee the set.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
As the city has continued to grow, it has earned a reputation for its distinct brand of laid-back luxury, offering residents a bustling culture, mild weather, and a reasonably-priced cost of living.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Christy orchestrates the elaborate stagecraft that sells the illusion of a bustling organization.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Hanako spotted a bustling outside market, right next to a single broken concrete wall and a big pile of rubble.
From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata
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