busy

1 /'bIzi/ adjective

1 WORKING NOW someone who is busy at a particular time is working and is not available: She's busy now, can you phone later?

(+ with): Mr Haynes is busy with a customer at the moment.

2 busy doing sth giving something a lot of your time and attention: Rachel's busy studying for her exams.

3 TIME a busy period is full of work or other activities: December is the busiest time of year for shops.

4 PLACE a busy place is very full of people or vehicles and movement: We live on a very busy road. | a busy office

5 WORKS HARD having very little free time because you always have so much to do: a busy mother of four with a full time job

6 keep sb/yourself busy to find plenty of things to do: I kept myself busy to take my mind off smoking.

7 TELEPHONE especially AmE a telephone that is busy, is being used; engaged (2) BrE: I'm sorry, the line's busy at the moment, can you try later?

8 PATTERN a pattern or design that is busy is too full of small details

9 as busy as a bee very active: The children have been as busy as bees making a collage this afternoon.

- busily adverb 2 verb (T) busy yourself with to use your time dealing with something: He busied himself with answering letters.