fussy
Americanadjective
-
excessively busy with trifles; anxious or particular about petty details.
-
hard to satisfy or please.
a fussy eater.
- Synonyms:
- persnickety, finicky, choosy, particular
-
(of clothes, decoration, etc.) elaborately made, trimmed, or decorated.
All the bric-a-brac gave the room a fussy, cluttered look.
-
full of details, especially in excess.
His writing is so fussy I lose the thread of the story.
adjective
-
inclined to fuss over minor points
-
very particular about detail
-
characterized by overelaborate detail
the furniture was too fussy to be elegant
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fussy
Explanation
If you’re fussy, you’re all about the little details. You want the dressing on the side, you want your collar just so, and you want the place mats arranged at a 90-degree angle. The word fussy came into English in the 19th century, but it’s a good bet that people have been fussy since the beginning of time. If you’re fussy, you’re really picky about your needs and requirements. You might be fussy about your food and refuse to eat cauliflower. You’re rarely satisfied — that can be annoying! Fussy can also describe something that has too much going on, like a fussy shirt that has ruffles, buttons, and a large floral pattern.
Vocabulary lists containing fussy
The Benefits of Being an Octopus
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The First State of Being
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
One of her poems was entitled, “He Looks in the Metal Waters,” about a man’s gloomy breakfast routine, and the other was about introspection and irony, “This Fussy Fatality.”
From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2023
It was as if Cecilia had heard distinctly, in a moment when no one was actually speaking, Signora Petricci’s idle thought: Fussy little man.
From The New Yorker • Sep. 10, 2018
Whombat: Fussy, annoying creature unable to adapt to a changing world.
From Washington Post • Jun. 8, 2017
Their chilled pet food business VIP Pet Foods focused on the gourmet end of the market for cats and dogs, offering a "Fussy Cat" range and vacuum-packed fresh minces.
From BBC • May 7, 2017
As they passed the Ferris wheel, Fern gazed up at it and wished she were in the topmost car with Henry Fussy at her side.
From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White
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.
