bustle

1 of 3

verb

bus·​tle ˈbə-səl How to pronounce bustle (audio)
bustled; bustling ˈbəs-liŋ How to pronounce bustle (audio)
ˈbə-sə-

intransitive verb

1
: to move briskly and often ostentatiously
bustled around the kitchen
2
: to be busily astir : teem
The house was bustling with activity.

bustle

2 of 3

noun (1)

: noisy, energetic, and often obtrusive activity
the hustle and bustle of the big city

bustle

3 of 3

noun (2)

clothing : a pad or framework expanding and supporting the fullness and drapery of the back of a woman's skirt or dress
the bustle of a 19th century wedding gown
also : the drapery so supported

Examples of bustle in a Sentence

Verb She bustled around the kitchen getting ready for dinner guests. on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop Noun (1) I couldn't concentrate in all the bustle of the student lounge
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
This captivating historical fiction takes the reader back to 1907, to the bustling world of Panama amid the monumental construction of the Panama Canal. Roxsy Lin, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024 Written by Stefani Robinson and boasting Brian Tyree Henry's best performance on the show, this mournful installment begins with Alfred having a waking dream about his mother, who is shown bustling about his messy home in the background, on the anniversary of her death. EW.com, 10 June 2024
Noun
This 13th-century estate, initially constructed for a noble Florentine family, provides a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2024 My journey from a small town in Illinois, through the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, Boston and New York, to finally finding my place in Baton Rouge has been one of discovery and fulfillment. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 12 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for bustle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bustle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

probably alteration of obsolete buskle to prepare, frequentative of busk, from Old Norse būask to prepare oneself

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1637, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bustle was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near bustle

Cite this Entry

“Bustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bustle. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

bustle

1 of 2 verb
bus·​tle ˈbəs-əl How to pronounce bustle (audio)
bustled; bustling ˈbəs-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bustle (audio)
: to move about busily or noisily

bustle

2 of 2 noun
: noisy or energetic activity

More from Merriam-Webster on bustle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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