Synonyms for busy

modified

1. Engaged

   occupied, diligent, working, employed, involved, tied up, in conference, in a meeting, in the field, on an assignment; with a customer, with a patient, etc.; on duty, on the job, at work, on the move, on the run, on the road, hard-working, industrious, buried in, busy as a bee*, hustling*, up to one's ears, up to one's neck, up to one's eyeballs*, on the go*, on the jump*, hard at it*, having many irons in the fire*, having other fish to fry*; see also employed.

   Antonyms idle, unemployed*, unoccupied, free.

2. Active

   bustling, energetic, lively, hectic; see active 2.

3. In use

   employed, occupied, in someone else's possession, unavailable, already taken, full; see also rented.

   Antonyms not in use, available*, free.

4. Officious

   meddlesome, curious, forward, intrusive, obtrusive, meddling, prying, interfering, butting in*, snoopy*, nosy*, pushy*; see also meddlesome.

5. Too crowded with detail

   fussy, cluttered, overelaborate; see elaborate 1, ornate 1. See syn. study at diligent.