adjective

busy

BIHZ-ee

adjective

Having a lot to do; occupied with work or activity.

"I can't talk now, I'm busy with a deadline."

"She stayed busy volunteering at the shelter every weekend."

Full of activity or traffic; crowded.

"The high street gets busy on Saturday afternoons."

verb

To keep someone occupied with a task.

"She busied herself tidying the kitchen while she waited for the call."

How to Use Busy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHaving lots to do, or (of a place) full of activity.

Common mistake

In American English, "the line is busy" means engaged/occupied (a phone line); British English more often says "engaged."

UK vs US

US: "the line is busy." UK: "the line is engaged."

Common pairings

busy schedule busy street busy yourself with

Word Forms

busier comparative, busied past tense, busies plural, busies singular, busiest superlative

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Fill the Gap

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I can't talk now, I'm _____ with a deadline.

Etymology

From Old English bisig ("occupied, diligent"). The unusual spelling with "u" comes from Midland and Southern English dialects, even though the modern pronunciation follows the Eastern dialects' vowel sound.

Synonyms

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swamped

Related Words

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Rhymes for busy

SUSY mousy lousy jealousy

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