English Reference
Adjective

bustling

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈbəsəɫɪŋ/ UK /bˈʌslɪŋ/ bustling

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.


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'.

Bidur, once a bustling town on the banks of the Trishuli, now lies in ruins.

The Guardian· 28 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated