# bustling

/ˈbəsəɫɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈʌslɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bustling
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'is' or 'remains'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.