fuss

American  

[fuhs] / fʌs /

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 British  

/ 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)

fuss Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing fuss

• kick up a fuss
• make a fuss

---

Other Word Forms

• fusser noun
• unfussed adjective
• unfussing adjective

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.

Example Sentences

The chicken slips into the sauce, reheating without fuss, absorbing flavor along the way.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

A commanding 7-1 aggregate win over Bologna sealed their place in the Europa League semi-final with minimum fuss at Villa Park.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

How many conservatives click on a Tucker show simply to see what the fuss is about?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

One scene makes a fuss about Tatum playing a dog in the school musical.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Then I felt embarrassed that she was making a fuss.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

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