Vocafy, efficient language learning Vocafy, efficient language learning
Loading
0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Busy

ˈbɪzi
Very common
~ 1800
~ 1800, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Occupied with tasks; having a lot to do, Engaged or involved in an activity, Crowded or full of activity

Busy - Meanings

Occupied with tasks; having a lot to do

Example: I'm too busy to go out tonight; I have a deadline to meet.
Usage: informalContext: daily conversations, work-related discussions
Note: This is the most common meaning of 'busy' and is widely used in various contexts.

Engaged or involved in an activity

Example: She was busy studying for her exams all weekend.
Usage: formal/informalContext: academic, professional, or personal activities
Note: This meaning implies being focused on a specific task or endeavor.

Crowded or full of activity

Example: The streets were busy with shoppers during the holiday season.
Usage: formal/informalContext: describing places or events
Note: Used to indicate a high level of activity or traffic in a particular area.

Busy's synonyms

occupied

When someone is occupied, they are busy with a specific task or activity.
Example: I'm sorry, I can't chat right now, I'm occupied with work.
Note: Occupied implies being engaged in a particular task or activity, while busy is a more general term for having a lot to do.

engaged

Being engaged means being actively involved or busy with a task or activity.
Example: She's engaged in a meeting at the moment, can I take a message?
Note: Engaged often implies a deeper level of involvement or focus compared to the more general term busy.

active

When something is active, it is in motion or operation, often indicating a state of busyness.
Example: The team is active in preparing for the upcoming event.
Note: Active can imply a sense of movement or progress, whereas busy can simply mean having a lot to do without necessarily moving forward.

hectic

Hectic describes a situation that is full of activity, often in a chaotic or frenzied manner.
Example: The office has been hectic lately with all the new projects.
Note: Hectic conveys a sense of chaos or disorder in busyness, whereas busy is a more neutral term for having a lot to do.

Busy expressions, common phrases

Burning the candle at both ends

To work or stay up late into the night and wake up early in the morning, leading to a lack of rest.
Example: She's been burning the candle at both ends trying to balance work and family commitments.
Note: This phrase emphasizes overworking oneself rather than just being busy.

In the thick of it

To be fully engaged in a busy or challenging situation.
Example: We're in the thick of it with the project deadline approaching.
Note: It suggests being deeply involved in a situation, not just generally busy.

Swamped with work

To be overwhelmed or very busy with a lot of work.
Example: I can't go out tonight, I'm swamped with work.
Note: It highlights being excessively burdened with tasks beyond a normal busy schedule.

Juggling too many balls

To try to deal with or control many different things at the same time.
Example: She's juggling too many balls right now, between work, school, and family.
Note: It implies managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously, not just being busy in general.

Run off one's feet

To be extremely busy or rushed off one's feet.
Example: The staff at the restaurant were run off their feet during the lunch rush.
Note: It suggests being so busy that one is constantly on the move or working hard.

Have one's hands full

To be very busy or occupied with something.
Example: I have my hands full with the new project at work.
Note: It implies being fully occupied with tasks, indicating a high level of busyness.

On the go

To be very busy and active, moving from one activity to another.
Example: She's always on the go, attending meetings and running errands.
Note: It emphasizes constant movement and activity, rather than just being generally busy.

Rush off one's feet

To be extremely busy or overwhelmed with work.
Example: The sales team has been rushed off their feet since the new product launch.
Note: Similar to 'run off one's feet,' it implies being heavily burdened with tasks, leading to a hectic pace.

Busy everyday (slang) expressions

Up to one's ears

This slang term means to be extremely busy or overwhelmed with tasks.
Example: I can't join you for lunch today, I'm up to my ears in work.
Note: It emphasizes being fully immersed in work, up to the point of the ears, conveying a sense of being completely swamped.

Running around like a headless chicken

This phrase describes someone who is frantic or disorganized in their busy activities.
Example: I've been running around like a headless chicken trying to get everything done before the deadline.
Note: It vividly portrays the image of someone moving hastily and aimlessly, emphasizing the chaos and lack of direction in their busyness.

Snowed under

To be snowed under means to be overwhelmed by a large amount of work or tasks.
Example: I'm sorry I didn't reply earlier, I've been snowed under with work.
Note: The term alludes to being buried under a heavy layer of snow, highlighting the feeling of being inundated and unable to easily move forward.

Burning the midnight oil

This phrase indicates working late into the night to complete tasks or meet deadlines.
Example: I have a lot to do, so I'll be burning the midnight oil tonight.
Note: It suggests working late into the night, often to the point of exhaustion, to emphasize dedication and hard work during late hours.

Up the wazoo

This slang term means to have an excessive or overwhelming amount of something, usually work or tasks.
Example: I have assignments up the wazoo this week.
Note: It humorously suggests having an abundance of something, to the point of absurdity or inconvenience.

Spread thin

To be spread thin means to be thinly stretched across various tasks or responsibilities, lacking the time or energy to focus effectively.
Example: I've been feeling spread thin lately with all the projects I'm juggling.
Note: It conveys the idea of being thinly dispersed, unable to give enough attention or effort to any one task due to being involved in several activities simultaneously.

Hustling

Hustling refers to working energetically and persistently, often to achieve a goal or complete tasks quickly.
Example: I've been hustling all day to finish these reports.
Note: It captures the idea of working with determination and resourcefulness, usually in a dynamic and proactive manner to get things done efficiently.

Busy - Examples

The city center is always busy during rush hour.
I'm sorry, I can't talk right now, I'm too busy.
The airport is always bustling with activity.

Busy grammar

Busy - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: busy
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): busier
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): busiest
Adjective (Adjective): busy
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): busied
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): busying
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): busies
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): busy
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): busy
Syllabification and Stress
busy Contains 1 syllables: busy
Phonetic transcription: ˈbi-zē
busy , ˈbi zē (The red syllable is stressed)

Busy - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
busy: ~ 1800 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Back