Bust

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbÊŒst/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒst
• Homophones: bussed, bused

From French buste < Italian busto, probably from Latin būstum.

Full definition of bust

Noun

1. A sculptural portrayal of a person's head and shoulders
2. The breasts and upper thorax of a woman

Derived terms

• busty
• overbust
• underbust

From the verb to burst.

Verb

1. To break something
2. (slang) To arrest for a crime
3. (slang) To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong, socially and morally inappropriate, or illegal, especially when being done in a sneaky or secretive state.
4. (snowboarding) An emphatic to do
   He busted huge air off that jump!
5. (US, informal) To reduce in rank.
   He busted him down to patrolman for insubordination.
• 1962, The Manchurian Candidate (1962 film), 01:56:35If Steinkamp doesn't take off that hat and stop messing around, I'm gonna bust him into a PFC.
6. (poker) To lose all of one's chips.
7. (blackjack) To exceed a score of 21.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• bust a cap
• bust a gasket
• bust a move
• bust a nut
• bust ass cold
• bust loose
• bust one's ass
• bust one's balls
• bust one's chops
• bust out
• bust up

Noun

1. (slang) The act of arresting someone for a crime, or raiding a suspected criminal operation:a narcotics bust
2. (slang) A failed enterprise; a bomb.
3. (sports, derogatory) A player who is drafted at a high position and fails.
4. (chess, informal) A refutation of an opening, or of previously published analysis.

Adjective

1. (slang) without any money, broke

Derived terms

• bust up/bust-up
• busted (adjective)
• buster

Anagrams

• BTUs, buts, stub, tubs