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.

That’s because people are busy and will forget all about it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Service was incredibly slow during our visit on a busy Saturday evening, but once the meats started arriving, things quickly started looking up.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

She was a bit too busy to play MsMojo, I guess, this time.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

At a Karur textile factory, busy with workers attaching labels to caps and ironing cloth bags, AFP saw eight people wearing head cameras and smart glasses supplied by Objectways.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

I was so busy looking at everything that I almost didn’t notice that there were other people in the room until Regan elbowed me hard in the ribs.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

busy

Example Sentences

Related Words