bustle

1 of 3

verb

bus·​tle ˈbə-səl 

bustled; bustling ˈbəs-liŋ 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• abound
• brim
• bristle
• bulge
• burst
• buzz
• crawl
• hum
• overflow
• pullulate
• swarm
• teem

Noun (1)

• ado
• alarums and excursions
• ballyhoo
• blather
• bluster
• bobbery
• bother
• clatter
• clutter [chiefly dialect]
• coil
• commotion
• corroboree [Australian]
• disturbance
• do [chiefly dialect]
• foofaraw
• fun
• furor
• furore
• fuss
• helter-skelter
• hoo-ha
• hoo-hah
• hoopla
• hubble-bubble
• hubbub
• hullabaloo
• hurly
• hurly-burly
• hurricane
• hurry
• hurry-scurry
• hurry-skurry
• kerfuffle [chiefly British]
• moil
• pandemonium
• pother
• row
• ruckus
• ruction
• rumpus
• shindy
• splore [Scottish]
• squall
• stew
• stir
• storm
• to-do
• tumult
• turmoil
• uproar
• welter
• whirl
• williwaw
• zoo

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

The towering pines are particularly striking, creating a natural boundary that separates the estate from the bustling streets beyond. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025

For the next 20 minutes, the mission room bustled with activity as scientists—and Intuitive Machines’ CEO Steve Altemus—joined operators in trying to figure out what was happening. —Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025

Noun

The Arnie used to have a field of 120 players, which meant there were a lot more golfers playing, a lot more golf to watch and much more hustle and bustle on the course — especially during the first two days of the tournament before the field was cut. —Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025

The apartments have been designed to offer residents a tranquil and calming environment; a relaxing haven away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. —Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing bustle

• hustle and bustle

Rhymes for bustle

• hustle
• muscle
• mussel
• russel
• rustle
• trussell
• tussle
• mofussil

Kids Definition

bustle

1 of 2 verb

bus·​tle ˈbəs-əl 

bustled; bustling ˈbəs-(ə-)liŋ 

: to move about busily or noisily

bustle

2 of 2 noun

: noisy or energetic activity