Hustle vs. Bustle — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 26, 2024
"Hustle" refers to energetic activity or the act of moving hurriedly, often with a purpose, while "bustle" describes a noisy, energetic, and often chaotic environment, typically in a crowd.
Difference Between Hustle and Bustle
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Key Differences
Hustle involves active, often urgent effort, typically focused on achieving or accomplishing something, such as in a busy work environment. On the other hand, bustle is more about the atmosphere or environment that is lively and full of activity, like a busy marketplace.
While hustle conveys a sense of purposeful movement and activity, often with a positive connotation of productivity, bustle describes scenes where activity is high but without any implied goal or productivity—simply the state of being busy and crowded.
Hustle is used both as a verb and a noun, with a focus on swift, efficient action or pushing oneself energetically towards a goal. In contrast, bustle is generally used as a noun to describe a scene or as a verb that simply means to move in an energetic and noisy manner.
In modern usage, hustle often has entrepreneurial connotations, linked to self-driven success and hard work in business or personal projects. Bustle, meanwhile, is rarely used in a personal context and more often describes general public activity.
The term "hustle" might be applied to an individual's actions or a small group's efforts, highlighting the energy and speed they put into their tasks. Whereas "bustle" is almost exclusively used to describe groups, especially large ones, and their collective energy in a specific location.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Energetic effort and movement, purpose-driven
Lively, noisy activity, typically in crowded areas
Usage
As a verb and a noun, personal or small group focus
Mainly as a noun, describes general atmosphere
Connotation
Often positive, implying productivity
Neutral, emphasis on noise and activity
Common contexts
Business, personal achievement, sports
Crowded public places, events
Associated with
Individual or small group activity
Large groups or crowds
Compare with Definitions
Hustle
Rapid movement or busy activity, especially to achieve something.
She continued to hustle to meet the project's tight deadline.
Bustle
A condition of noisy, energetic, and often chaotic activity.
The market was full of the usual morning bustle.
Hustle
Energetic effort, typically in one's career or when multitasking.
His hustle was evident as he balanced multiple jobs.
Bustle
A throng or flurry of activity that creates a lively atmosphere.
The city square buzzed with the bustle of tourists.
Hustle
To push or force one's way.
He had to hustle through the crowd to catch the train.
Bustle
Old-fashioned: a pad or frame worn under a skirt.
Her Victorian dress was supported by a large bustle.
Hustle
A fraudulent or aggressive way of making money.
He ran a side hustle selling vintage clothes online.
Bustle
The general commotion found in busy urban environments.
He loved the bustle of the downtown core during business hours.
Hustle
Slang for working hard or being industrious.
She's always hustling to improve her skills and advance her career.
Bustle
To move or act with a lot of busy noise.
Everyone bustled about, preparing for the festival.
Hustle
Push roughly; jostle
They were hissed and hustled as they went in
Bustle
A bustle is a padded undergarment used to add fullness, or support the drapery, at the back of women's dresses in the mid-to-late 19th century. Bustles were worn under the skirt in the back, just below the waist, to keep the skirt from dragging.
Hustle
Obtain illicitly or by forceful action
Linda hustled money from men she met
Bustle
Move in an energetic and busy manner
People clutching clipboards bustled about
Hustle
Engage in prostitution
She would hustle for a few dollars
Bustle
Excited activity and movement
All the noise and the traffic and the bustle
Hustle
A state of great activity
The hustle and bustle of the big cities
Bustle
A pad or frame worn under a skirt and puffing it out behind.
Hustle
A fraud or swindle
The hustles being used to avoid the draft
Bustle
To move or cause to move energetically and busily.
Hustle
To move or act energetically and rapidly
We hustled to get dinner ready on time.
Bustle
Excited and often noisy activity; a stir.
Hustle
To push or force one's way.
Bustle
A frame or pad to support and expand the fullness of the back of a skirt.
Hustle
To act aggressively, especially in business dealings.
Bustle
A bow, peplum, or gathering of material at the back of a skirt below the waist.
Hustle
To obtain something by deceitful or illicit means; practice theft or swindling.
Bustle
An excited activity; a stir.
Hustle
To solicit customers. Used of a pimp or prostitute.
Bustle
A cover to protect and hide the back panel of a computer or other office machine.
Hustle
To misrepresent one's ability in order to deceive someone, especially in gambling.
Bustle
A frame worn underneath a woman's skirt, typically only protruding from the rear as opposed to the earlier more circular hoops.
Hustle
To push or convey in a hurried or rough manner
Hustled the prisoner into a van.
Bustle
To move busily and energetically with fussiness (often followed by about).
The commuters bustled about inside the train station.
Hustle
To cause or urge to proceed quickly; hurry
Hustled the board into a quick decision.
Bustle
To teem or abound (usually followed by with); to exhibit an energetic and active abundance (of a thing).
The train station was bustling with commuters.
Hustle
To sell or get by questionable or aggressive means
Hustled stolen watches.
Hustling spare change.
Bustle
(transitive) To push around, to importune.
Hustle
To pressure into buying or doing something
A barfly hustling the other customers for drinks.
Bustle
To move noisily; to be rudely active; to move in a way to cause agitation or disturbance; as, to bustle through a crowd.
And leave the world for me to bustle in.
Hustle
To misrepresent one's skill in (a game or activity) in order to deceive someone, especially in gambling
Hustle pool.
Bustle
Great stir; agitation; tumult from stirring or excitement.
A strange bustle and disturbance in the world.
Hustle
The act or an instance of jostling or shoving.
Bustle
A kind of pad or cushion worn on the back below the waist, by women, to give fullness to the skirts; - called also bishop, and tournure.
Hustle
Energetic activity; drive.
Bustle
A rapid bustling commotion
Hustle
(Slang) An illicit or unethical way of doing business or obtaining money; a fraud or deceit
"the most dangerous and wide-open drug hustle of them all" (Newsweek).
Bustle
A framework worn at the back below the waist for giving fullness to a woman's skirt
Hustle
To push someone roughly; to crowd; to jostle.
Bustle
Move or cause to move energetically or busily;
The cheerleaders bustled about excitingly before their performance
Hustle
(intransitive) To rush or hurry.
I'll have to hustle to get there on time.
Hustle
(transitive) To bundle; to stow something quickly.
Hustle
(transitive) To con, swindle, or deceive; especially financially.
The guy tried to hustle me into buying into a bogus real estate deal.
Hustle
To play deliberately badly at a game or sport in an attempt to encourage players to challenge.
Hustle
(informal) To obtain by illicit or forceful action.
Hustle
To dance the hustle, a disco dance.
Hustle
(informal) To work.
Hustle
(informal) To put a lot of effort into one's work.
Hustle
A state of busy activity.
Hustle
A propensity to work hard and get things done; ability to hustle.
Hustle
(preceded by definite article) A type of disco dance, commonly danced to the Van McCoy song The Hustle.
Hustle
(prison slang) An activity, such as prostitution or reselling stolen items, that a prisoner uses to earn money in prison.
Hustle
(slang) An act of prostitution.
Hustle
To shake together in confusion; to push, jostle, or crowd rudely; to handle roughly; as, to hustle a person out of a room.
Hustle
To push or crows; to force one's way; to move hustily and with confusion; a hurry.
Leaving the king, who had hustled along the floor with his dress worfully arrayed.
Hustle
A swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
Hustle
A rapid bustling commotion
Hustle
Cause to move furtively and hurriedly;
The secret service agents hustled the speaker out of the amphitheater
Hustle
Move or cause to move energetically or busily;
The cheerleaders bustled about excitingly before their performance
Hustle
Sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and especially underhanded activity
Common Curiosities
What kind of environments are typically described as "bustling"?
Environments like markets, busy streets, and festivals are often described as bustling due to their high energy and activity levels.
How do the connotations of "hustle" and "bustle" differ in terms of productivity?
"Hustle" often has a positive connotation linked to productivity and success, whereas "bustle" simply describes busy activity without any productivity implication.
What does "hustle" typically imply in a work context?
In work contexts, "hustle" implies vigorous, focused activity aimed at achieving specific goals or outcomes.
Can "bustle" ever describe something positive?
Yes, "bustle" can be positive when it describes lively and vibrant environments, like a bustling cafe or street market.
Can "bustle" be used as a verb?
Yes, "bustle" can also be used as a verb meaning to move energetically or busily.
What visual imagery does "bustle" evoke?
"Bustle" evokes imagery of crowded places with lots of movement and noise, like a busy urban street.
Is "hustle" appropriate for describing group activities?
While "hustle" can describe group activities, it typically focuses more on individual initiative and effort.
Are there modern synonyms for "bustle"?
Modern synonyms for "bustle" include "commotion" or "hubbub."
Does "bustle" imply chaos?
While "bustle" often involves chaotic elements, it primarily emphasizes high energy and noise rather than disorder.
How is "hustle" viewed in entrepreneurial contexts?
In entrepreneurial contexts, "hustle" is highly regarded as a trait denoting drive, determination, and a strong work ethic.
What does "hustle" in a negative sense refer to?
Negatively, "hustle" can refer to aggressive or deceptive business tactics.
Can "hustle" be seen as negative in professional settings?
Sometimes, if it implies cutting corners or unethical practices in pursuit of success.
What is the historical use of "bustle" in fashion?
Historically, a "bustle" refers to a pad or frame worn under a dress to enhance the shape of a woman's skirt, popular in the 19th century.
Is "hustle" associated with any particular age group?
"Hustle" is often associated with younger, energetic individuals or those starting new ventures.
How do the physical implications of "hustle" and "bustle" compare?
"Hustle" implies physical and mental quickness, while "bustle" emphasizes more the noisy, crowded aspect of physical activity.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
