Meaning of bust in English

Table of contents

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
Derived terms
2. search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
Examples
- « The police raided the crack house »
Derived terms
3. separate or cause to separate abruptly
Examples
- « The rope snapped »
- « tear the paper »
Derived terms
- rent
- rip
- rupture
- snag
- snap
- split
- tear
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. break open or apart suddenly and forcefully
Examples
- « The dam burst »
Classifying Adjective
bust
Definitions
1. lacking funds
Examples
- « 'skint' is a British slang term »
Synonyms
- poor
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
2. a sculpture of the head and shoulders of a person
3. an occasion for excessive eating or drinking
Examples
- « they went on a bust that lasted three days »
Derived terms

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