Busy

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈbɪzi/

Definitions

1. Engaged in various tasks or occupations Involved in activities that demand attention or effort Having little leisure time because of many responsibilities or commitments
2. Occupied with various duties or actions ; characterized by a lot of activity or movement ; giving focused attention to a task or situation
3. In the state of performing multiple tasks ; showing numerous ongoing movements or disturbances ; concentrating on an effort or work

Etymology: The adjective "busy" descends from Old English "bisiġ", meaning "busy, occupied, diligent", and its older root carried the sense of zeal as much as activity. The word's earliest meaning leaned toward a person who was hard-working and conscientious, so a diligent worker and a man simply rushing about were not sharply separated in its original use. The spelling is a clue to the word's dialect history. The letter "u" in "busy" preserves the pronunciation of the West Midland and Southern dialects of Middle English, where the vowel was closer to a "oo" sound. The modern pronunciation with a short "i" comes from the East Midlands dialects, and that sound won out in standard English while the spelling stayed behind. Its relatives on the Continent still carry the older meaning. Dutch "bezig" and Low German "besig" both mean "busy," and Saterland Frisian "biesich" leans toward "industrious" and "hard-working," showing how closely the word once tied effort to occupation.

Synonyms: occupied, engaged, active, hustling, working

Antonyms: idle, free, unoccupied, inactive, disengaged