bustle
1 Americanverb (used without object)
-
to move or act with a great show of energy (often followed byabout ).
He bustled about cooking breakfast.
-
to abound or teem with something; display an abundance of something (often followed bywith ).
The office bustled with people and activity.
verb (used with object)
noun
noun
-
fullness around or below the waist of a dress, as added by a peplum, bows, ruffles, etc.
-
a pad, cushion, or framework formerly worn under the back of a woman's skirt to expand, support, and display the full cut and drape of a dress.
verb
noun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
bustlesimple
-
bustlessimple
-
have bustledperfect
-
has bustledperfect
-
am bustlingprogressive
-
are bustlingprogressive
-
is bustlingprogressive
-
have been bustlingperfect progressive
-
has been bustlingperfect progressive
Past
-
bustledsimple
-
had bustledperfect
-
was bustlingprogressive
-
were bustlingprogressive
-
had been bustlingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of bustle1
First recorded in 1615–25; Middle English bustelen “to hurry aimlessly along,” perhaps akin to Old Norse busla “to splash about, bustle”
Origin of bustle2
First recorded in 1780–90; origin uncertain
Explanation
A flurry of activity and commotion is often referred to as bustle. If you want to see true bustle in action, just walk through Times Square in New York during lunch hour. If it's busy, energetic or moving about at a rapid pace, then it's bustling. Word historians think bustle might stem from an Old Norse word meaning "to prepare." However, it's probably easier to remember bustle by the synonym it's often used with — hustle, as in "the hustle and bustle of a big city."
Vocabulary lists containing bustle
"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Pride
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
The jokester revealed that he initially came across the pad when he was living in the hustle and bustle of New York City and wanted a peaceful getaway.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 16, 2026
But in the capital Porto-Novo, turnout for Sunday's vote ranged from 20 to 40 percent at some polling stations, while life in economic capital Cotonou was largely back to its usual bustle by Monday.
From Barron's ● Apr. 13, 2026
It's a style he developed in the hustle and bustle of his busy Bronx home.
From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2026
The result is both intense and deeply relaxing — a perfect reset after the constant energy and bustle of Las Vegas.
From Salon ● Mar. 7, 2026
There was much less bustle and clamor than I had expected.
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
The “underwater city” of a barrier reef bustles with activity, with vibrantly patterned fish darting busily between corals and sea sponges.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
His charming, whimsical collection featured ruffled tutus, sculptured soft knits, peplum jackets, skirts with bustles and plenty of shearling fabric.
From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2026
In his dim-lit studio, Zabtia oversees everything -- from lighting and sound to costumes -- as a small crew bustles about making his latest picture, "1986".
From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026
Every inch of the couch is piled high with pinstripe bustles and mountains of sailor hats.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2025
She bustles about, uprooting dead plants and weeds, and mulching new life into the tired dirt.
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
Wall Street types in ironed white shirts bustled through the central station.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Inside, the staff spoke imperfect English, but all wore smiles on their faces as they bustled around the establishment, tending to their customers.
From Slate ● Mar. 12, 2026
The city's main market bustled on Friday afternoon as shoppers jostled through heavy traffic.
From Barron's ● Feb. 16, 2026
Military personnel bustled in and out, appearing to bring in supplies and fuel the plane.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025
Maybe what did it was Miss Love’s postcard promises, but bygones almost seemed to be bygones as Mama and Queenie bustled about, fixing a Sunday dinner despite it was only Thursday.
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
They threaten American bases across the region and can destroy the desalination plants that make life in the Gulf states’ bustling cities possible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Yet, at the bustling Jantar Mantar itself, the atmosphere is often festive.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
From the bustling labs of the Northeast to the remote deserts of the Southwest, American ingenuity can be found everywhere.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
In a time when acts like Fred Again.. and John Summit are Gen Z fixtures and the underground is bustling with invention, the genre interest was primed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
Anya let Ilana pull her through the kitchen, bustling with even more people, out a back door and into a walled courtyard.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
