kerfuffle

[ker-fuhf-uhl]

noun

1. Informal.,  a fuss; commotion.

kerfuffle

/ kəˈfʌfəl /

noun

1. informal,  commotion; disorder; agitation

verb

1. (tr) to put into disorder or disarray; ruffle or disarrange

Word History and Origins

Origin of kerfuffle¹

First recorded in 1945–50; from Scots curfuffle, from cur- (from Scottish Gaelic car “a turn,” from Old Irish cor ) + fuffle “to disorder, confuse” (of imitative origin)

Word History and Origins

Origin of kerfuffle¹

from Scottish curfuffle, carfuffle, from Scottish Gaelic car twist, turn + fuffle to disarrange

Example Sentences

Instead, Beijing has decided to turn a modest kerfuffle into a major confrontation.

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A kerfuffle broke out after OpenAI’s Sarah Friar suggested at The Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live conference that the U.S. government should provide loan guarantees to help build out AI infrastructure.

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The rivalry is only intensifying and each kerfuffle, even if smoothed out, erodes trust between the two rivals.

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The latest kerfuffle with Canada will likely be sorted and chances generally look good for an agreement with China—at least until the next unpredictable wrangle.

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This latest kerfuffle also overshadowed a strong start to earnings season from the big banks.

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Related Words

• commotion 
• disorder 
• disruption 
• disturbance