Definition

1. Verb:
   • To perform music, sing, dance, or entertain in a public place, typically on the street or in a subway station, and to ask for voluntary donations (money) from the audience. This activity is known as street performance or busking.

Usage

• The verb "busk" describes the act of public performance for gratuities. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. You do not "busk a song"; you simply "busk."
• It is often used in continuous tenses to describe an ongoing activity.
• The person who does this is called a "busker."

Examples

• Verb:
  • She decided to busk in the city center to earn some extra money.
  • On weekends, you can often find musicians busking near the old market.
  • He has been busking for years, traveling from town to town.

Advanced Usage

• "to go busking": to go out to perform as a busker.
  • They packed up their guitars and went busking for the afternoon.
• The activity itself is referred to as "busking" (gerund/noun).
  • Busking requires a permit in some cities.

Variants and Related Words

• Busker (noun): a person who performs music or other entertainment in public places for donations.
  • The talented busker drew a large crowd.
• Busking (noun/gerund): the act or practice of performing as a busker.
  • Busking is a common way for aspiring musicians to gain experience.

Synonyms

• Perform (street performance): to entertain in a public space.
• Street-perform: a less common synonym with the same meaning.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms

Verb

1. play music in a public place and solicit money for it
   • three young men were busking in the plaza