Definition

1. Noun:

   • A rapid, active, and often noisy commotion or activity: "Bustle" refers to a state of energetic and hurried movement, often creating a sense of excitement or busyness.
   • A framework worn historically under a skirt: In historical fashion, a "bustle" was a padded or structured undergarment worn at the back of a woman's dress to support and give fullness to the skirt.

2. Verb:

   • To move or act in a busy, energetic, and often hurried manner: To "bustle" means to move quickly and with purpose, often implying a sense of bustling activity.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Commotion):

  • The bustle of the city market was both exciting and overwhelming.
  • She enjoyed the quiet of the countryside after the bustle of urban life.

• Noun (Historical Garment):

  • The Victorian-era dress required a bustle to achieve its distinctive silhouette.

• Verb:

  • Servants bustled around the kitchen, preparing for the grand feast.
  • He bustled about the office, trying to finish the report before the deadline.

Advanced Usage

• "to bustle with activity": to be full of energetic and noisy activity.

  • The harbor bustled with activity as the ships prepared to depart.

• "to bustle someone off/out": to make someone go somewhere quickly, often by urging them.

  • She bustled the children off to bed.

Variants and Related Words

• Bustling (adj): full of energetic and noisy activity.
  • The bustling streets of Tokyo are famous worldwide.

Synonyms

• Commotion (n): a state of confused and noisy disturbance.
• Flurry (n): a small, sudden burst of activity or excitement.
• Scurry (v): to move hurriedly with short, quick steps.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bustle about/around: to move around busily and energetically.

  • She was bustling about, tidying the house before the guests arrived.

• Bustle off: to leave or cause someone to leave in a hurry.

  • He bustled off to catch his train.

Noun

1. a framework worn at the back below the waist for giving fullness to a woman's skirt
2. a rapid active commotion

Verb

1. move or cause to move energetically or busily
   • The cheerleaders bustled about excitingly before their performance