Antonyms for busy


Grammar : Adj
Spell : biz-ee
Phonetic Transcription : ˈbɪz i


Definition of busy

Origin :
  • Old English bisig "careful, anxious," later "continually employed or occupied," cognate with Old Dutch bezich, Low German besig; no known connection with any other Germanic or Indo-European language. Still pronounced as in Middle English, but for some unclear reason the spelling shifted to -u- in 15c.
  • The notion of "anxiousness" has drained from the word since Middle English. Often in a bad sense in early Modern English, "prying, meddlesome" (preserved in busybody). The word was a euphemism for "sexually active" in 17c. Of telephone lines, 1893. Of display work, "excessively detailed, visually cluttered," 1903.
  • adj engaged, at work
  • adj active, on the go
  • adj nosy, impertinent
Example sentences :
  • Plato perceived that the contemplative maiden was busy with memories of the past.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • In these solitary tours he was busy and happy, working and playing.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • He was busy almost half an hour, while Uncle Peter smoked in silence.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • All busy preparing for a start for the Head of the Bight to-morrow.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • There is a look of industrious nothingness about him, such as busy dogs have.
  • Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
  • Both sexes, and all ages, are busy at all times in the mysteries of the gaming-table.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
  • They only thought a lawyer could help them--but I'm far too busy--of course I decline.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • He watched the face of the other keenly, but the old man was busy filling his pipe.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • For her part, she was busy and could not spare time to gossip.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • From that day for nearly a fortnight there were busy doings in the house.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald

Synonyms for busy

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019