Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

fuss

 - 4 dictionary results

fuss

  [fuhs]
Use fuss in a Sentence
–noun
1. an excessive display of anxious attention or activity; needless or useless bustle: They made a fuss over the new baby.
2. an argument or noisy dispute: They had a fuss about who should wash dishes.
3. a complaint or protest, esp. about something relatively unimportant.
–verb (used without object)
4. to make a fuss; make much ado about trifles: You'll never finish the job if you fuss over details.
5. to complain esp. about something relatively unimportant.
–verb (used with object)
6. to disturb, esp. with trifles; annoy; bother.
Origin:
1695–1705; orig. uncert.

Related forms:
fusser, noun

Synonyms:
1. pother, to-do, stir, commotion. 6. pester.

Antonyms:
1. inactivity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To fuss
fuss   (fŭs)   
n.  

  1. Needlessly nervous or useless activity; commotion: There was a lot of fuss on moving day.

    1. A state of excessive and unwarranted concern over an unimportant matter: made a big fuss over one low test grade.

    2. An objection; a protest: The longer working hours caused a big fuss.

  3. A quarrel.

  4. A display of affectionate excitement and attention: Everyone made a fuss over the new baby.

v.   fussed, fuss·ing, fuss·es

v.   intr.

  1. To trouble or worry over trifles.

  2. To be excessively careful or solicitous: fussed over their children.

  3. To get into or be in a state of nervous or useless activity: fussed with the collar of his coat.

  4. To object; complain.

v.   tr.
To disturb or vex with unimportant matters.

[Origin unknown.]
fuss'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

fuss  (n.)
1701, perhaps an alteration of force, or imitative of bubbling or sputtering sounds, or from Dan. fjas "foolery, nonsense." First attested in Anglo-Irish writers, but no obvious connections to Irish. The verb is first attested 1792, from the noun; fussy is from 1831. To make a fuss was earlier to keep a fuss (1726).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

fuss

In addition to the idiom beginning with fuss, also see kick up a fuss; make a fuss.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see fuss on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way