Busy Meaning
Busy Definition & Usage
Occupied with tasks or activities, typically to the extent that one has little time for other things.
Examples
- "I'm sorry, I can't meet you right now. I'm really busy with work."
- "She was too busy to answer the phone during the meeting."
- "We are currently busy handling multiple client requests."
- "He looks busy, but I’ll try to catch him after his lunch break."
- "The manager is busy this afternoon, but she will get back to you by tomorrow."
Full of people, activity, or movement, often to the point of being crowded or chaotic.
Examples
- "The city center is always busy on weekends."
- "We went to a busy restaurant and had to wait for a table."
- "The streets were busy with tourists during the festival."
- "The subway is busiest during rush hour."
- "She walked into a busy office with phones ringing and people chatting everywhere."
Characterized by complexity or many details.
Examples
- "The tapestry was busy with bright colors and intricate patterns."
- "She wore a busy dress with bold designs and floral prints."
- "His desk was always busy, covered with papers, pens, and office supplies."
- "The wallpaper in the room was too busy for my taste."
- "The website's homepage is too busy; it needs a simpler design."
Cultural Context
The word 'busy' has been in use since Old English, derived from 'busiġ,' meaning 'active' or 'engaged.' Over time, its meanings expanded to cover both personal engagement and environmental activity. The term 'busy' reflects a modern societal emphasis on productivity and constant activity. It is commonly associated with both positive and negative connotations, depending on context (e.g., 'busy' can imply a productive or stressful situation).
A Day in the Life of a Busy City
Story
A Day in the Life of a Busy City
It was a crisp autumn morning, and Sarah, a young professional, was navigating the busy streets of downtown. As she walked past bustling cafes and crowded bus stops, her phone buzzed with a reminder about her meeting. She sighed, knowing the day ahead would be filled with back-to-back appointments and countless emails. ‘I’m too busy for this,’ she muttered under her breath, dodging a pedestrian in a hurry. At the office, the scene was no different. Phones were ringing, colleagues were chatting in the hallways, and the printer was constantly churning out documents. Sarah sat at her desk, already buried under a pile of paperwork. Her boss had warned her about a 'busy period' ahead, but she didn’t realize it would be this chaotic. By lunchtime, Sarah decided to take a break and head to the nearby park. As she walked through the city center, she noticed a new restaurant that was so busy, people were waiting in line outside. It wasn’t just the restaurant that was bustling—every corner of the street seemed filled with activity. Children played on the sidewalks, tourists snapped photos, and street vendors sold everything from hot dogs to handmade jewelry. ‘No matter how busy things get,’ Sarah thought, ‘it’s important to take a step back and enjoy life.’ But as she checked her watch, she realized her lunch break was over. Time to get back to work. The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of emails and meetings. By 5 p.m., Sarah was mentally exhausted but satisfied. She had handled everything she needed to, despite the overwhelming busyness of her day. She packed up her things, ready to face the busy world again tomorrow.
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