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Bust - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A bust is a sculpture of a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest. It can also mean a failure or collapse, as in a business going bust. The word is used in both art and informal contexts.

bust

/bʌst/ /bʌst/

Definition:

To break or burst, or a sculpture of a person's head and shoulders.

Synonyms:

break, burst, fracture, shatter, rupture

Part of Speech:

verb, noun

Antonyms:

repair, mend

Common Collocations:

bust a move, bust a gut, bust the myth, bust the budget

Derivatives:

buster, busted

Usage Tips:

Use "bust" as a verb for breaking or as a noun for a sculpture; informal for arrest or failure.

Common Phrases:

boom or bust, bust one's chops, go bust

Etymology:

From Old French "buster," meaning to break; later influenced by Italian "busto," meaning torso sculpture.

Examples:

  • 1. The police will bust the illegal operation soon.
  • 2. She admired the marble bust of the famous poet.
  • 3. Don’t bust the vase while cleaning!
  • 4. The company went bust after poor sales.

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