bust
bust Lexical Profile
bust Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A sudden failure, economic collapse, or a police raid resulting in arrests.
"The tech startup ended up being a complete bust when their main product failed to launch."
A woman's chest, or the measurement around the breasts and back.
"The tailor measured her waist, hips, and bust to ensure the custom dress would fit perfectly."
A sculptured representation of the upper part of the human figure, especially the head, neck, and shoulders.
"The museum displayed a marble bust of the Roman emperor in the central hall."
• verb
To break, smash, or violently split something apart.
"He accidentally busted the antique vase while moving the furniture."
To conduct a raid or arrest someone for illegal activities (especially by law enforcement).
"The police busted the warehouse downtown after receiving a tip about smuggled goods."
To go bankrupt or lose all of one's money.
"The local bookstore finally busted after years of struggling against online retailers."
• Rhymes for bust
Word Origin & Etymology
The noun denoting a sculpture derives from Italian 'busto' (trunk of the body), ultimately from Latin 'bustum' (tomb, monument). The verb and related slang senses are primarily an 18th-century phonetic alteration of the word 'burst'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.