fuss
Americannoun
-
an excessive display of anxious attention or activity; needless or useless bustle.
They made a fuss over the new baby.
- Antonyms:
- inactivity
-
an argument or noisy dispute.
They had a fuss about who should wash dishes.
-
a complaint or protest, especially about something relatively unimportant.
verb (used without object)
-
to make a fuss; make much ado about trifles.
You'll never finish the job if you fuss over details.
-
to complain especially about something relatively unimportant.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
nervous activity or agitation, esp when disproportionate or unnecessary
-
complaint or objection
he made a fuss over the bill
-
an exhibition of affection or admiration, esp if excessive
they made a great fuss over the new baby
-
a quarrel; dispute
verb
-
(intr) to worry unnecessarily
-
(intr) to be excessively concerned over trifles
-
to show great or excessive concern, affection, etc (for)
-
to quarrel violently
-
(tr) to bother (a person)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has fussedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have fussedperfect
-
is fussingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been fussingperfect progressive
-
has been fussingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
am fussingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are fussingprogressive
-
fussingparticiple
-
fussessingular 3rd person
Past
-
had fussedperfect
-
was fussingprogressive singular
-
were fussingprogressive plural
-
had been fussingperfect progressive
-
fussedparticiple
-
fussedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of fuss
First recorded in 1695–1705; origin uncertain
Explanation
If you are making a fuss, settle down! A fuss is a state of excitement, and it's usually about something not worth worrying or "fussing" about. Most fusses are types of commotion. If someone makes a fuss, they're overexcited and in a tizzy over something, like someone who can't stop asking questions. Another fuss is angrier: you might say "What's the fuss?" if you hear two people yelling at each other. A fuss is also any kind of hubbub or whirlwind of activity, like a huge crowd swarming toward a sale. Parents tend to fuss over their children. Someone who fusses is worrying too much.
Vocabulary lists containing fuss
"The Landlady" by Roald Dahl
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"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" by Rudyard Kipling
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Prince (1958-2016) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So I traveled to lounges in Chicago and Minneapolis last week to see what the fuss is about.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
"Everyone should be able to fly without fuss."
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
I loved that one because it said we’re all entitled to noodle without having to make much fuss about it.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026
Bond markets aren’t children, of course, but their challenge to the new Federal Reserve Chairman, Kevin Warsh, who was sworn in last week, is causing something of a fuss.
From Barron's • May 27, 2026
I hear his mom fuss at him about playing video games all day, and I’m pretty sure she’ll have us washing windows in a second.
From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
