Meaning of bust in English

1. Pronunciation

   /bəst/

   US accent

   How to pronounce bust in American English, in context ▾
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   UK accent

   How to pronounce bust in British 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
2. 2. search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on

   Examples

   • « The police raided the crack house »
3. 3. separate or cause to separate abruptly

   Examples

   • « The rope snapped »
   • « tear the paper »
4. 4. go to pieces

   Examples

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