Headway Word of the Week
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busy (adjective)
Busy means you have a lot of things to do. It can also mean there are lots of people, cars, etc. in a place.
- I'm sorry, but I'm very busy at the moment. Can I phone you later?
- We live near a very busy road, so I don't let the children walk to school by themselves.
Check out collocations
- a busy person
(= someone with a lot of things to do) - a busy day, a busy schedule, a busy time
(= a time when there is a lot of work to do) - a busy office, a busy road junction, a busy shopping
centre
(= a place where there a lot of people, cars, etc., and a lot of things happening) - a busy (telephone) line
(= the line is engaged)
Check out different verbs and different forms
- get busy
(= start working)
You've been sitting here all day. It's time you got busy. - keep (someone) busy
(= give someone lots of things to do)
Could you keep the children busy, while I go to the shops? - busy yourself
(= make yourself busy)
Jack busied himself tidying his room, while he waited for his friends to arrive. - be busy doing something
(= using all your time doing something, often with a lot of effort)
Paula is busy revising for her exams.
Check out these expressions
- A busybody is an annoying person who always interferes in other people's business.
- A busy bee is a person who always seems to have lots of things to do.
Check out related words
- crowded
- engaged
- occupied
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