busking

American  

[buhs-king] / bʌs kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or practice of entertaining by dancing, singing, juggling, etc., on the street or in a public place.

   When I lived and studied in London for a year and a half, I brought my guitar along and did some busking in the streets.

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adjective

1. engaged in this kind of public entertainment.

   My interviewee was late meeting me in the square, so while waiting I struck up a conversation with a busking musician.

Etymology

Origin of busking

First recorded in 1770–80; busk ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; busk ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

Ms Millington's challenges have so far also included barefoot running, blacksmithing, beekeeping and busking on the streets of York in a turkey outfit playing Christmas songs on a kazoo.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2025

Almost all vehicles are prohibited from entering the enhanced security zone that encompasses about 14 blocks of the popular area packed with bars, restaurants, shops and vendors where busking musicians play jazz tunes on horns.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2025

Three years ago, Cat Burns was busking on the streets of London when one of her older songs, Go, went viral on TikTok.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2024

Nixon made it through college at Miami University then headed out to London to attempt to break into the booming punk rock movement, only to find himself busking on the streets.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2024

Barrel organists and other itinerant musicians would hang around the theatres, learn the tunes and make a living busking them in the street the next day.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall