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fuss

[fuhs]
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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.
  3. a complaint or protest, especially about something relatively unimportant.
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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.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to disturb, especially with trifles; annoy; bother.
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Origin of fuss

First recorded in 1695–1705; origin uncertain
Related formsfuss·er, nounun·fussed, adjectiveun·fuss·ing, adjective

Synonyms

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1. pother, to-do, stir, commotion. 6. pester.

Antonyms

1. inactivity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

curse, annoy, fuss, tease, pester, scold, irritate, berate, hector, irk, torment, vex, hound, badger, fume, seethe, simmer, boil, fret, moan

Examples from the Web for fussed

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for fussed

fuss

noun
  1. nervous activity or agitation, esp when disproportionate or unnecessary
  2. complaint or objectionhe made a fuss over the bill
  3. an exhibition of affection or admiration, esp if excessivethey made a great fuss over the new baby
  4. a quarrel; dispute
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verb
  1. (intr) to worry unnecessarily
  2. (intr) to be excessively concerned over trifles
  3. (when intr, usually foll by over) to show great or excessive concern, affection, etc (for)
  4. (intr foll by with) Jamaican to quarrel violently
  5. (tr) to bother (a person)
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Derived Formsfusser, noun

Word Origin

C18: of uncertain origin
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

Word Origin and History for fussed

fuss

n.

1701, perhaps an alteration of force, or imitative of bubbling or sputtering sounds, or from Danish fjas "foolery, nonsense." First attested in Anglo-Irish writers, but no obvious connections to Irish. To make a fuss was earlier to keep a fuss (1726).

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fuss

v.

1792, from fuss (n.). Related: Fussed; fussing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with fussed

fuss

In addition to the idiom beginning with fuss

  • fuss and feathers

also see:

  • kick up a fuss
  • make a fuss
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.