fuss

[ fuhs ]
See synonyms for fuss on Thesaurus.com
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.

  1. a complaint or protest, especially about something relatively unimportant.

verb (used without object)
  1. to make a fuss; make much ado about trifles: You'll never finish the job if you fuss over details.

  2. to complain especially about something relatively unimportant.

verb (used with object)
  1. to disturb, especially with trifles; annoy; bother.

Origin of fuss

1
First recorded in 1695–1705; origin uncertain

Other words for fuss

Opposites for fuss

Other words from fuss

  • fusser, noun
  • un·fussed, adjective
  • un·fuss·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fuss in a sentence

  • He worries and fusses; he “nags,” as we used to say at school; and, when mother and I are quite worn out, his triumph is assured.

    A Bundle of Letters | Henry James
  • Your father gets so alarmed, and fidgets and fusses, if he thinks that there is anything the matter with you.

    A Book of Ghosts | Sabine Baring-Gould

British Dictionary definitions for fuss

fuss

/ (fʌs) /


noun
  1. nervous activity or agitation, esp when disproportionate or unnecessary

  2. complaint or objection: he made a fuss over the bill

  1. an exhibition of affection or admiration, esp if excessive: they made a great fuss over the new baby

  2. a quarrel; dispute

verb
  1. (intr) to worry unnecessarily

  2. (intr) to be excessively concerned over trifles

  1. (when intr, usually foll by over) to show great or excessive concern, affection, etc (for)

  2. (intr foll by with) Jamaican to quarrel violently

  3. (tr) to bother (a person)

Origin of fuss

1
C18: of uncertain origin

Derived forms of fuss

  • fusser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with fuss

fuss

In addition to the idiom beginning with fuss

  • fuss and feathers

also see:

  • kick up a fuss
  • make a fuss

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.