Bust/bʌst/ Definition 1 of 6Pro Tip 1/2Colloquial Usage Used informally, often in casual or playful situations, and not typically in formal writing. I completely busted my sneaker while playing basketball. Pro Tip 2/2Hyperbolic Expression Exaggerated; not always meaning something is literally broken, but it could just be not working properly. I busted my diet by eating that cake.