Meanings
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1
adj
Having a lot to do; actively working on something.
I'm too busy to talk right now.
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2
adj
Full of activity or people.
The shopping mall is always busy on weekends.
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3
adj
(of a phone line) already in use by someone else.
I tried to call her, but the line was busy.
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4
adj
Having too much detail and looking cluttered.
The wallpaper pattern was too busy for such a small room.
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5
verb
To keep yourself or someone occupied with an activity.
She busied herself with cleaning the kitchen.
Thesaurus
Common collocations
Etymology
From Middle English bisy, busie, from Old English bisiġ (“busy, occupied, diligent”), from Proto-West Germanic *bisīg (“diligent; zealous; busy”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian biesich (“active, diligent, hard-working, industrious”), Dutch bezig (“busy”), Low German besig (“busy”). The spelling with ⟨u⟩ represents the pronunciation of the West Midland and Southern dialects while the Modern English pronunciation with /ɪ/ is from the dialects of the East Midlands.
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