Bustling
/ˈbʌslɪŋ/
adjectiveB1present participle (used as adjective)
Definition
Bustling means full of lively and busy activity. It usually describes places like streets, markets, or cities where many people are moving, talking, and working at the same time. It gives an image of energy and movement.
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⚡ See It in Action
Full of energetic activity and movement, usually people
- •The market was bustling with shoppers on Saturday morning.
- •The bustling city streets never sleep.
- •She loved the bustling atmosphere of the busy café.
(Less common) Moving quickly and busily
- •The employees were bustling around preparing for the event.
- •He was bustling through the crowd to catch the train.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "bustling" like "busy," but with more movement and noise—like many people all active together
- ✓Picture a crowded market with people walking quickly, talking, and selling things everywhere
- ✓It's the feeling when you walk into a lively street full of sounds, colors, and people
- ✓Sounds like "BUS-ling" → imagine a bus full of people moving fast, everyone busy getting on and off
- ✓Remember scenes from movies showing busy city centers with people hurrying and cars moving
- ✓NOT like "quiet" (no noise or movement), bustling is full of noise and action
- ✓NOT like "calm" (peaceful and slow), bustling is full of energy and fast movement
- ✓NOT like "empty" (no people), bustling means many people are there and active
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Busy: full of activity or work (Use when activity is less about noise or crowd and more about tasks)
- •Lively: full of life and energy (Use when emphasizing energy and excitement)
- •Crowded: full of people (Use when focusing on the number of people, not necessarily activity)
- •Active: doing many things (Use when focusing on movement or work, less on noise)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: bustle (root) + -ing (suffix for present participle/adjective form)
- •Etymology: "bustle" comes from late 16th century English, meaning to move quickly or energetically
- •Historical development: Originally described quick, busy movement, later used to describe busy places full of activity
- •Modern usage: Commonly used as an adjective to describe places full of lively, noisy activity and movement
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does the word bustling help you imagine a place differently than just saying "busy"?
•Can a place feel bustling but also comfortable? What kind of places might those be?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The market was bustling with ___ and noise because many people came to buy fresh food.
2.She enjoys working in a bustling office where there is always ___ happening.
3.Unlike a quiet village, the city center was bustling ___ people and cars.
4.The employees were bustling ___ the room to prepare for the big meeting.
5.When a place is bustling, you can expect a lot of ___ and movement around you.
6.A bustling street is usually ___ and full of energy, not calm or empty.
7.The café was bustling ___ customers chatting and waiters moving quickly.