English · Word Candidate

hustle

/ˈhʌsəl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: hustles · hustling · hustled

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To push someone roughly; to crowd; to jostle.

Verb

Examples

There is an hour or two, after the passengers have embarked, which is disquieting and fussy.[…]Passengers wander restlessly about or hurry, with futile energy, from place to place. Pushing men hustle each other at the windows of the purser's office, under pretence of expecting letters or despatching

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To rush or hurry.

Verb

Examples

I'll have to hustle to get there on time.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A state of busy activity.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A propensity to work hard and get things done; ability to hustle.

Noun

Examples

'It's just natural for the folks here to be indolent,' she said. 'They just haven't got any hustle in them.'

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “hustle” mean?

To push someone roughly; to crowd; to jostle.

Is “hustle” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.