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Meaning & use

busy

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈbɪzi/
US/ˈbɪzi/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Having a lot of things to do, or already doing something and not free to do anything else.

    Grammar: Often followed by with or doing: busy with homework, busy cooking.

    Patterns

    • busy with something
    • busy doing something
    • be busy at something

    I'm too busy to talk right now.

    She is busy with exams this month.

    He was busy cooking when I arrived.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Full of people, traffic or activity.

    Grammar: Describes places and times: a busy street.

    Patterns

    • a busy street
    • a busy time

    The market is busy on Saturdays.

    They live on a very busy road.

    December is a busy time for shops.

  3. adjectiveafter a verbAmerican

    Of a telephone line, being used by someone so that others cannot get through.

    Grammar: Used about phone lines: the line is busy.

    Patterns

    • a busy signal
    • the line is busy

    I called twice but the line was busy.

    He got a busy signal and tried later.

    The number is busy right now.

  4. adjectivecomparable

    Too full of detail, pattern or color, so that it looks cluttered.

    Grammar: Describes designs or images: a busy pattern.

    Patterns

    • a busy design
    • busy wallpaper

    The wallpaper was too busy for a small room.

    Her dress had a busy print.

    The poster looks busy, so remove some text.

Word forms

comparativebusier
superlativebusiest

Common combinations

busy schedule
She has a busy schedule this week.
busy street
The shop sits on a busy street.
keep busy
Gardening keeps him busy.
busy with
I'm busy with the report.
busy day
Tomorrow will be a busy day.

Synonyms and how they differ

occupied
Occupied is more formal and can describe a seat or room as well as a person.
engaged
Engaged is British for a phone line or toilet in use and sounds more formal for people.
hectic
Hectic suggests rushed and chaotic activity, which is stronger than busy.
bustling
Bustling describes a lively place full of movement and usually sounds positive.

Opposites

idlefreequiet

Word family

busier adjective
comparative of busy
busily adverb
in an active way
business noun
trade, work or a company
busyness noun
the state of having a lot to do

Commonly confused: busy or business?

busy vs business

Business is a noun for trade or a company, while busy describes someone with a lot to do.

Practice

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