bust
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To break.
Register: colloquial
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I busted my cooker while trying to fix it.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To arrest (someone or a group of people) for a crime.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
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.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “bust” mean?
To break.
Is “bust” formal or informal?
bust is generally colloquial.