Dictionary

1busy

adjective \ˈbi-zē\

: actively doing something

: full of activity or work

: full of people or things

busi·erbusi·est

Full Definition of BUSY

1
a :  engaged in action :  occupied
b :  being in use <found the telephone busy>
2
:  full of activity :  bustling <a busy seaport>
3
:  foolishly or intrusively active :  meddling
4
:  full of distracting detail <a busy design>
busi·ly \ˈbi-zə-lē\ adverb
busy·ness \ˈbi-zē-nəs\ noun
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Origin of BUSY

Middle English bisy, from Old English bisig; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German besich busy
First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of BUSY

busy, industrious, diligent, assiduous, sedulous mean actively engaged or occupied. busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure <too busy to spend time with the children>. industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work <industrious employees>. diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit <very diligent in her pursuit of a degree>. assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application <assiduous practice>. sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application <a sedulous investigation of the murder>.

Rhymes with BUSY

2busy

verb
bus·iedbusy·ing

Definition of BUSY

transitive verb
:  to make busy :  occupy
intransitive verb
:  bustle <small boats busied to and fro — Quentin Crewe>

First Known Use of BUSY

before 12th century

Rhymes with BUSY

BUSY Defined for Kids

1busy

adjective \ˈbi-zē\
busi·erbusi·est

Definition of BUSY for Kids

1
:  actively at work
2
:  being used <I tried to call, but the line was busy.>
3
:  full of activity <a busy day>
busi·ly \ˈbi-zə-lē\ adverb

2busy

verb
bus·iedbusy·ing

Definition of BUSY for Kids

:  to make busy <I busied myself with chores.>

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