Word
bustling
US/ˈbəsəɫɪŋ/
UK/bˈʌslɪŋ/
Definition
adj. full of energy and noise because there are many people moving around and doing things. You use this to describe a place that feels alive and busy.
adj. characterised by energetic, noisy activity and crowded with people. Often used to describe urban environments or social spaces.
Examples
“The market is always bustling on Saturday mornings.”
“We spent the afternoon exploring the bustling streets of the city center, stopping at various small shops.”
“The once-quiet fishing village has transformed into a bustling tourist hub, where the constant hum of activity contrasts sharply with its former isolation.”
Examples
simple
“The market is always bustling on Saturday mornings.”
contextual
“We spent the afternoon exploring the bustling streets of the city center, stopping at various small shops.”
complex
“The once-quiet fishing village has transformed into a bustling tourist hub, where the constant hum of activity contrasts sharply with its former isolation.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'is' or 'remains'.
Real-World Examples
“Bidur, once a bustling town on the banks of the Trishuli, now lies in ruins.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/bustling