Hustles

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To engage in energetic effort or activity while moving swiftly with intent or purpose in a bustling manner
2. To exert oneself through vigorous work or movement while participating actively in a dynamic environment
3. To move with rapid and deliberate motion ; to put in spirited effort toward achieving something ; to take part in unofficial or possibly dishonest dealings

Etymology: "Hustles" is the third-person singular present form of "hustle," which in its verb sense means to work with great energy and drive, often hard and fast. The verb traces back to Dutch "husselen," meaning "to shake up," or possibly to a metathesized form, "hutselen," from the same root. Both forms are frequentative verbs, meaning they describe repeated or back-and-forth action, and they derive from "hutsen," "to stir" or "to move something back and forth." The physical sense of constant shaking and jostling carried into English, where "hustle" first meant to push or shove roughly, and to move busily about. The sense of energetic, sometimes pushy, effort grew naturally from that image of vigorous motion, which is why someone who hustles today is working hard at speed rather than simply moving.

Synonyms: bustles, rushes, works, strives, jostles

Antonyms: rests, loafs, idles, relaxes, snoozes