What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hectic
Example
The office was hectic as everyone was rushing to meet the deadline. [hectic: adjective]
Example
She had a hectic day at work, with back-to-back meetings and deadlines. [hectic: adjective]
Example
The city can be quite hectic during rush hour. [hectic: adjective]
busy
Example
I'm too busy to go out tonight, I have a lot of work to do. [busy: adjective]
Example
The market was busy with shoppers on the weekend. [busy: adjective]
Example
She has been busy preparing for her exams all week. [busy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Busy is more commonly used than hectic in everyday language. Busy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hectic is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hectic and busy?
Busy is more formal than hectic. While hectic is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, busy can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.