bus|y

bus|y «BIHZ ee», adjective, bus|i|er, bus|i|est, verb, bus|ied, bus|y|ing.

–adj.

1. having plenty to do; not idle; working; active: »

During the sale the clerks were very busy in the store.

2. full of work or activity: »

Main Street is a busy place. Holidays are a busy time.

3. in use: »

I tried to call her up, but her telephone line was busy.

4. prying into other people's affairs; meddling: »

That inquisitive woman is always busy.

SYNONYM(S): meddlesome, officious.

5. overfilled with color, design, or ornament: »

a busy wallpaper, a busy pattern.

–v.t.

to make busy; keep usy: »

The bees busied themselves making honey.

–v.i.

to be busy.

╂[Old English bysig]

Synonym Study adjective. 1 Busy, industrious, diligent mean actively or attentively occupied. Busy means active, or working steadily or at the moment: »

He is such a busy man, it is hard to get an appointment with him.

Industrious means hard-working by nature or habit: »

Bees and ants are industrious workers.

Diligent means hard-working at a particular thing, usually something one likes or especially wants to do: »

a diligent student. A diligent host attends to the needs of all his guests.