busy

Examples

• All

• A frequent distraction, especially in grab shots and street scenes, is a busy background.

  Academic text (2005)

• The event itself is such a busy and stimulating time that it can take a few days to recover.

  Academic text (2009)

• And I wanted my shelves to be a little bit less busy than the old house.

• People are using bright and busy prints, wild patterns and taking big risks with color and tiny spaces.

• The harbor itself seemed as cluttered and busy as the streets of the city.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Decision makers and opinion leaders are busy, and the report needed to communicate vital information concisely.

  Academic text (2003)

• In Dublin, with its busy streets and crowded pubs, Ireland had seemed so civilized, so modern, so urbane.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Jane's is draped with paisley and batik, every surface busy with prints as big and lush as Jane herself.

  Fiction book (1999)

• I prefer a simple design; this one is too busy with intricate patterns and details.

• Her dress was quite busy, featuring multiple bright designs that clashed with each other.

Synonyms

I

intricate

vsbusy

73 6.7

Having many small parts or details that are hard to understand

focuses on excessive detail causing distraction rather than careful skill

C

cluttered

vsbusy

25 3.0

Full of too many things so it looks messy

describes a design crowded with details that distract the eye

F

fussy

vsbusy

4 5.0

Having too many small details makes it look crowded

makes the entire design feel messy and visually distracting

O

overcomplicated

vsbusy

1 6.2

More complex than it needs to be

in this setting it implies decorative excess rather than functional complexity

O

overdecorated

vsbusy

1 4.7

Having too many things to make it look pretty so it feels crowded or showy

focuses on many details that draw attention away from the whole design

O

over-embellished

vsbusy

7.3

Too decorated so it looks showy and not natural

leans toward overall visual overload from too many details

T

twiddly

vsbusy

• UK

8.2

Having small decorative details that are unnecessary

creates visual overload by adding many needless tiny ornaments

O

overinvolved

vsbusy

7.4

Having too many details that make it hard to follow

here it means too many visual details rather than technical complexity

Antonyms

S

simple

∞ 1.0

Only the basic fact or thing

M

minimalist

16 5.4

Very simple and with few details in art, design, or music

Idioms

B

busy as a bee

• Informal

1 3.4

Working very hard all the time

B

busy little beaver

• Informal

1 6.2

A very active person who works hard and gets many things done

Compounds

B

busy bee

• Informal

3 2.9

A person who always works hard and stays active

How Busy

overwhelming

423 4.4

busy

26 4.0

cluttered

25 3.0

decorated

2.7

plain

208 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology