Busy

/ˈbɪzi/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

actively carrying out a task or engaged in an activity.

She is too busy to attend the meeting today.

having a great deal to do; occupied.

He keeps a busy schedule with work and family commitments.

crowded with activity or occupied.

The streets were busy with holiday shoppers.

involved in a lot of work or activity.

My parents are always busy with their gardening projects.

not free; used to refer to a phone line that is engaged.

I tried calling her, but the line was busy.

Middle English, from Old English bisig.

busy as a bee

Extremely busy or active.

busy signal

A telephone signal indicating the line is engaged.

busy work

Tasks that keep a person busy but are not productive.

bustling

Full of energetic and noisy activity.

hustle

To move or act energetically or busily.

Swamped

I'm swamped with work right now.

Booked

I'm all booked up this week.

In the thick of it

I'm in the thick of it with all these deadlines.