Busy
Busy adjective - Involved in often constant activity.
Usage example: the deadline is in two days, so everyone at work has been extremely busy
Functioning and busy are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Functioning" instead an adjective "Busy".
Functioning
Functioning adjective - Being in effective operation.
Usage example: looked for a functioning washing machine, but the few that weren't broken were in use
Busy and functioning are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Busy" instead an adjective "Functioning".
Both words in one sentence
- They're also said to be busy with keeping the universe functioning, and sometimes can't take action unless a situation relates to their sphere of influence.
Source: Tabletop Game / Scarred Lands -
Lower functioning ones tend to have trouble getting projects in on time since they're busy making it juuust right, or tend to focus on the task itself while losing sight of the overall goal.
Source: Hollywood Personality Disorders
Cite this Source
Functioning and Busy. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/busy/functioning
Busy & Functioning. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/busy/functioning>.
Functioning or Busy. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/busy/functioning.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "busy" and "functioning" have occurred on timeline