fuss

[fuhs]

noun

1. an excessive display of anxious attention or activity; needless or useless bustle.

   They made a fuss over the new baby.

   Synonyms: commotion, stir, to-do, pother
   Antonyms: inactivity

2. an argument or noisy dispute.

   They had a fuss about who should wash dishes.

3. 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.

   Synonyms: pester

fuss

/ fʌs /

noun

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

2. complaint or objection

   he made a fuss over the bill

3. an exhibition of affection or admiration, esp if excessive

   they made a great fuss over the new baby

4. a quarrel; dispute

verb

1. (intr) to worry unnecessarily

2. (intr) to be excessively concerned over trifles

3. to show great or excessive concern, affection, etc (for)

4. to quarrel violently

5. (tr) to bother (a person)

Other Word Forms

• fusser noun
• unfussed adjective
• unfussing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuss¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuss¹

C18: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

• kick up a fuss
• make a fuss

Example Sentences

The Kimmel affair was a rare moment of megamedia vulnerability — and given who started the whole fuss, there’s more to come.

Read more on Salon

It was an observation some within Labour are weary of hearing about again, recalling the fuss a decade ago when Labour had mugs printed with the promise of "controls on immigration".

Read more on BBC

He believes more of a fuss should be made of becoming British citizen, and there needs to be an expectation of what new citizens would contribute.

Read more on BBC

It’s only when everyday people kick up enough fuss that they attempt to save face.

Read more on Salon

At one point, she asked whether the irritability and fussing some babies showed at the time of the shot could be early symptoms of neurological problems stemming from the vaccine that hadn’t been studied.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commotion 
• confusion 
• controversy 
• excitement 
• flap 
• furor 
• hassle 
• ruckus 
• stink