Busy

Definition

Busy is an adjective and a verb. As an adjective, it describes someone or something actively engaged in tasks or activities, often leaving little time for other things. As a verb (in the form "to busy oneself"), it means to occupy oneself with activity or tasks.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈbɪzi/
• Respelling: BIZ-ee

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈbɪzi/
• Respelling: BIZ-ee

Etymology

The word "busy" comes from the Old English "bisig," meaning "occupied" or "diligent," and is related to the Old Dutch "bezich" and German "beschäftigt," which convey being occupied or engaged in activity.

Derivatives

• Busily (adverb)
• Business (noun)
• Busyness (noun)
• Busybody (noun)
• Busywork (noun)

Synonyms

• Occupied
• Engaged
• Active

Antonyms

• Idle
• Free
• Inactive

Usage

The term "busy" is commonly used to describe people or environments filled with activity. For example, "She is always busy with work," or "The city streets are busy in the morning."

Related Terms

• Occupation: A person’s job or profession, or an activity that occupies their time.
• Work: Activity involving mental or physical effort done to achieve a purpose.
• Task: A piece of work or activity that needs to be completed.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Actively engaged in tasks or activities: Describes a person who has many things to do or an environment filled with activity.
  • Example: "He is busy with his studies and has little free time."
• Full of activity or commotion: Refers to places where many actions or events are happening at once.
  • Example: "The marketplace was busy with vendors and shoppers."

Verb (to busy oneself)

• To occupy oneself with tasks or activities: Means to fill one’s time with purposeful tasks.
  • Example: "She busied herself with organizing the files."