Definitions

busy

[biz-ee] / ˈbɪz i /

ADJECTIVE

engaged, at work

Synonyms

STRONGEST

active unavailable working

STRONG

buried employed engaged engrossed hustling occupied overloaded persevering slaving snowed swamped

WEAK

already taken assiduous at it diligent having a full plate having enough on one's plate having fish to fry having many irons in the fire in a meeting in conference in someone else's possession in the field in the laboratory industrious on assignment on duty on the go tied-up up to one's ears with a customer

Antonyms

STRONGEST

idle

STRONG

inactive unoccupied

WEAK

lazy quiet unbusy unemployed unengaged

ADJECTIVE

active, on the go

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bustling full hectic lively restless

STRONG

humming hustling popping tiring

WEAK

busy as a beaver energetic fussy strenuous tireless

Antonyms

WEAK

idle inactive lazy quiet unbusy unemployed unengaged

ADJECTIVE

nosy, impertinent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curious

STRONG

forward interfering meddling prying stirring

WEAK

butting in inquisitive intrusive meddlesome nebby obtrusive officious pushy snoopy troublesome

Antonyms

WEAK

idle inactive lazy quiet unbusy unemployed unengaged

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The glass-paned office building perched above a ramen store in the heart of Manhattan's Chinatown looked inconspicuous on a busy block of Chinese restaurants, grocery stores and apartments.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

President Donald Trump has been busy in the stock market.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

He reached out, but they were busy trying to clean up the Amazon River.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Either way, you’ll be just as busy as you want to be.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

If she could just keep them busy with her answers, maybe they’d never get around to us pupils.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

busy

Example Sentences

Related Words