Meaning of the word busy in English

What does busy mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

busy

US /ˈbɪz.i/

UK /ˈbɪz.i/

having a great deal to do

Example:

•

I'm too busy to talk right now.

•

She's always busy with her projects.

Synonym:

occupied engaged working active involved

(of a place or telephone line) in use by someone else

Example:

•

The line is busy, please try again later.

•

The restaurant was very busy on Saturday night.

Synonym:

engaged occupied unavailable crowded bustling

(of a design or piece of art) having too much detail or too many colors; cluttered

Example:

•

The wallpaper has a very busy pattern.

•

Her outfit was a bit too busy with all those prints.

Synonym:

cluttered fussy overloaded ornate elaborate

to occupy or keep someone engaged

Example:

•

She tried to busy herself with household chores.

•

He would busy himself with his hobbies on weekends.

Synonym:

occupy engage absorb preoccupy distract