busy

Universal Words adjective, verb adjective (busier, busiest) doing sth 1 ~ (with sth/sb) having a lot to do; perhaps not free to do sth else because you are working on sth: Are you busy tonight? * Kate's busy with her homework. * I'm afraid the doctor is busy at the moment. Can he call you back? * I'll be too busy to come to the meeting. * The principal is a very busy woman. * She was always too busy to listen. * a very busy life 2 ~ (doing sth) spending a lot of time on sth: James is busy practising for the school concert. * Let's get busy with the clearing up. * They were busy enjoying themselves at the party. place 3 full of people, activity, vehicles, etc: a busy main road * Victoria is one of London's busiest stations. period of time 4 full of work and activity: Have you had a busy day? * This is one of the busiest times of the year for the department. * We had a busy weekend lined up. telephone 5 (especially AmE) being used SYNENGAGED: The line is busy-I'll try again later. * the busy signal pattern / design 6 too full of small details: This wallpaper is too busy for the bedroom. busily adverb: He was busily engaged repairing his bike. IDIOMS as busy as a bee very busy keep yourself busy to find enough things to do: Since she retired she's kept herself very busy. verb (busies, busying, busied, busied) ~ yourself (with sth)