buster

IPA/ˈbʌstə(r)/
KK[bˈʌstɚ]IPA/ˈbʌstər/

buster — noun

1. a rude way of speaking to a man or boy, used when you are annoyed with them or w

1.名詞B2
釋義

a rude way of speaking to a man or boy, used when you are annoyed with them or want to threaten them.

例句

Hey, buster, that is my parking space you are trying to take!

pattern: 'hey, buster' as aggressive address

Watch your mouth, buster — nobody here wants to hear your rude comments.

imperative + 'buster' in confrontational tone

同義詞
  • pal

    less aggressive and can be neutral or sarcastic

  • buddy

    similar confrontational use but slightly less insulting

  • friend

    sarcastic address, similar tone but more common

文法句型

used as a direct address at the start or end of a sentence

用法筆記

Only used as a direct address — you cannot say 'he is a buster' with this meaning. Always confrontational; never friendly or neutral.

常見錯誤

❌Excuse me, buster, could you help me?
✅Excuse me, sir, could you help me?
💡'buster' is rude and hostile, not polite.
❌She is such a buster when she gets angry.
✅Hey, buster, calm down!
💡this sense is only used to address someone directly, never as a description.

2. any person or tool that works against something considered harmful, false, or un

2.名詞B2
釋義

any person or tool that works against something considered harmful, false, or unwanted — for instance, a myth-buster challenges widely held but incorrect ideas, and a stress-buster helps you feel calmer.

例句

The new app is a real stress-buster, with guided breathing exercises and relaxing music.

compound pattern: stress-buster / crime-buster / myth-buster

Local crime-busters helped the police find the stolen bicycles within two days.

同義詞
  • terminator

    more dramatic and less common in everyday speech

  • destroyer

    stronger and less specific to the idea of eliminating a problem

文法句型

used as part of a compound noun: [noun]-buster

用法筆記

Frequently appears as the second half of a compound noun (crime-buster, myth-buster, blockbuster, budget-buster). Rarely used alone as a standalone noun with this meaning.

常見錯誤

❌He is a buster of corruption.
✅He is a corruption-buster.
💡this sense is almost always paired with a preceding noun in a compound.

3. a young child who is surprisingly strong, healthy, or active for their age.

3.名詞
釋義

a young child who is surprisingly strong, healthy, or active for their age.

例句

Baby Devika is a little buster — she started walking at just nine months old.

register: 'little buster' as an affectionate description

Lakan was a real buster at age three — he lifted a plastic chair off the ground.

同義詞

文法句型

used after 'little' or 'real' to describe a child

用法筆記

Old-fashioned in modern English. Mostly used affectionately by older generations to describe a tough, energetic child.

常見錯誤

❌My dog is a real buster.
✅My son is a real buster.
💡this sense only describes human children, not pets or adults.