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Meaning of bust in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  4. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /bəst/

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    How to pronounce bust in American English, in context ▾
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  1. Verb

    bust

    Etymology

    mid 18th century (originally US, as a noun in the sense ‘an act of bursting or splitting’): variant of burst

    Definitions

    1. ruin completely

    Examples

    • « He busted my radio! »

    Antonyms

    • repair
    • mend
    • fix
    • bushel
    • doctor
    • furbish up
    • restore
    • touch on

    Derived terms

    • break
    • breakage
    • breaking
    • buster
    • flop
  2. 2. search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on

    Examples

    • « The police raided the crack house »

    Derived terms

    • foray
    • maraud
    • raid
  3. 3. separate or cause to separate abruptly

    Examples

    • « The rope snapped »
    • « tear the paper »

    Derived terms

    • rent
    • rip
    • rupture
    • snag
    • snap
    • split
    • tear
  4. 4. go to pieces

    Examples

    • « The lawn mower finally broke »
    • « The gears wore out »
    • « The old chair finally fell apart completely »

    Derived terms

    • wear
  5. 5. break open or apart suddenly and forcefully

    Examples

    • « The dam burst »
  6. Classifying Adjective

    bust

    Definitions

    1. lacking funds

    Examples

    • « 'skint' is a British slang term »

    Synonyms

    • poor
  7. Noun

    bust

    Etymology

    mid 17th century (denoting the upper part or torso of a large sculpture): from French buste, from Italian busto, from Latin bustum‘tomb, sepulchral monument’

    Definitions

    1. a complete failure

    Examples

    • « the play was a dismal flop »

    Derived terms

    • break
    • fall flat
    • fall through
    • flop
    • founder
  8. 2. a sculpture of the head and shoulders of a person
  9. 3. an occasion for excessive eating or drinking

    Examples

    • « they went on a bust that lasted three days »

    Derived terms

    • binge
    • englut
    • engorge
    • glut
    • gorge
    • gormandise
    • gormandize
    • gourmandize
    • ingurgitate
    • overeat
    • overgorge
    • overindulge
    • pig out
    • satiate
    • scarf out
    • stuff

Famous quotes

  • « Sometimes I bust out and do things so permanent. Like tattoos and marriage. »
    Drew Barrymore
  • « I managed Hewlett Packard through the worst technology downturn in 25 years, the dotcom bust. »
    Carly Fiorina
  • « The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust. »
    Josh Billings
  • « For the past two years, President Obama has promised our children the moon, stars, rainbows, unicorns and universal health care for all. But the White House Santa's cradle-to-grave entitlement mandates are a spectacularly predictable bust. »
    Michelle Malkin

Browse dictionary

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