What does busty mean?
Busty is an adjective used to describe a woman who has large breasts. The word derives directly from 'bust', the term for the human chest or torso, and emerged as a descriptive label in English, particularly in informal speech and popular media. In contemporary usage it appears frequently in fashion commentary, character description, and entertainment journalism, though its tone ranges from neutral description to objectifying depending on context. Related words include 'buxom', which carries a broader meaning of plumpness or full-figured curves and has a longer literary history, and 'curvaceous' or 'voluptuous', which describe overall body shape rather than any single feature. Writers seeking a more neutral or formal register often prefer these alternatives. Because the term refers specifically to a physical attribute of women, sensitivity to context and audience matters when choosing whether to use it.
adjective(Of a woman) having large breasts. Often used informally or in descriptive contexts.
- (Of a woman) having large breasts.
"The actress was often typecast in busty roles early in her career."
"The novel's cover featured a busty heroine in period dress."
"She wore a tailored blazer that flattered her busty frame."
Despite sounding like a casual modern coinage, 'busty' is a straightforward derivative of 'bust', the word for the human chest — making it one of the more literal terms in the English lexicon.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of busty
Busty derives from the English noun 'bust', which denotes the chest or upper torso of a person (and also refers to sculptural representations of the head and shoulders). The adjective form arose by adding the suffix '-y' to 'bust', following a common pattern of forming descriptive adjectives from body-part nouns. It developed alongside related terms such as 'buxom', an older Middle English word originally meaning obedient or lively before shifting toward meanings of plumpness and full figure. The word is used across British and American English with no significant regional variation.
How busty is actually used
Informal to neutral in register; the word can carry objectifying connotations depending on context, so it is best used with care in formal writing.
Easily confused with busty
'Buxom' historically meant lively or plump and now broadly means curvaceously full-figured, while 'busty' specifically refers to having large breasts.