Phrase guide

busy work

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Work or activity performed with the intention or result of occupying time, and not necessarily to accomplish something productive; routine work of low priority undertaken for the sake of avoiding idleness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • Until we have a system clearly established, entering more data is just busy work.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: bezigheidstherapie — activity performed for occupying time
  • Finnish: puuhastelu — activity performed for occupying time
  • Finnish: touhuilu — activity performed for occupying time
  • French: bassotage — activity performed for occupying time
  • Polish: bezproduktywne zajęcie — activity performed for occupying time
  • Spanish: trabajo improductivo — activity performed for occupying time
  • Spanish: tarea sin sentido — activity performed for occupying time
  • Spanish: faena despropositada — activity performed for occupying time
  • Swedish: tidsslöseri — activity performed for occupying time