What does "busy" mean?

1. (having much to do) having a lot of work or many things to do. 2. (crowded or active) full of people, traffic, or activity. 3. (too detailed) having too many shapes, colours, or details so that it is hard to look at. 4. (to keep occupied) to keep yourself or someone else working on a task. 5. (police officer) a slang word for a police officer.

busy

Q: Is it correct to say "I am busy to do my homework"?

No — say "I am busy doing my homework". When followed by another action, use the -ing form (gerund) instead of the infinitive with 'to'.

US //ˈbɪzi// UK //bˈɪzi// busy

1 having much to do (adj.)
A1 Beginner

having a lot of work or many things to do.

actively engaged in an activity or preoccupied with tasks.

Example

I am sorry I cannot talk right now because I am very busy.

Example

The department head is currently too busy preparing the annual budget to review any new project proposals this week.
2 crowded or active (adj.)
A2 Elementary

full of people, traffic, or activity.

characterised by a high volume of activity, movement, or people.

Example

The city centre is always busy on Saturday mornings.

Example

The intersection became increasingly busy as commuters rushed to reach the station before the final express train departed.
- quiet
- empty

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3 too detailed (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

having too many shapes, colours, or details so that it is hard to look at.

excessively detailed or cluttered, often to the point of being visually distracting.

Example

I think that wallpaper is too busy for such a small room.

Example

The graphic designer suggested simplifying the layout, arguing that the current version was far too busy to effectively communicate the core message.
- simple
- minimalist
4 to keep occupied (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to keep yourself or someone else working on a task.

to make oneself or another person busy; frequently used reflexively with 'with'.

Example

She busied herself with the housework to avoid thinking about the news.

Example

While waiting for the results, he busied himself by reorganising his entire digital filing system to pass the time.
- occupy
- employ
5 police officer (n.)
C1 Advanced British English Slang Informal

a slang word for a police officer.

a slang term for a police officer, often carrying a negative or disrespectful tone.

Example

He ran away as soon as he saw the busies coming around the corner.

Example

The local youths kept a sharp lookout for the busies while they gathered in the abandoned car park after dark.

Teacher's tip

This term is specific to British English and is generally considered derogatory; learners should avoid using it in polite company.

Etymology 1

From Middle English bisy, busie, from Old English bisiġ (“busy, occupied, diligent”), from Proto-West Germanic *bisīg (“diligent; zealous; busy”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian biesich (“active, diligent, hard-working, industrious”), Dutch bezig (“busy”), Low German besig (“busy”). The spelling with ⟨u⟩ represents the pronunciation of the West Midland and Southern dialects while the Modern English pronunciation with /ɪ/ is from the dialects of the East Midlands.

Etymology 2

From Middle English bisien, from Old English bisgian (“to occupy, employ, trouble, afflict”), from Proto-West Germanic *bisīgōn. Cognate with Old Frisian bisgia (“to use”).

Usage

Typically used as a predicative adjective after a linking verb or as an attributive adjective before a noun.

Pitfall

I am busy to do my homeworkI am busy doing my homeworkWhen followed by another action, use the -ing form (gerund) instead of the infinitive with 'to'.

Idioms5 entries