muss

American  

[muhs] / mʌs /

noun

1. a state of disorder or untidiness.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put into disorder; make messy; rumple (often followed byup ).

   Synonyms:

   bedraggle, tangle, disturb, mess

muss British  

/ mʌs /

verb

1. to make untidy; rumple

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noun

1. a state of disorder; muddle

Etymology

Origin of muss

1820–30; perhaps blend of mess and fuss

Explanation

To muss is to mess up. When your grandmother reaches over to muss your hair, she tousles it — you'll have to carefully comb it again before you leave for school. Falling in the mud might make you muss your new jeans, and a strong wind on a boat will muss everyone's hair. While the verb muss means "make untidy," it's almost always used to talk about hair, and occasionally clothing. The word muss has been around since the nineteenth century, and it was probably originally a variation on mess. A muss was once also a term meaning "a fight or disturbance."

Example Sentences

As always, Lorenzo is more than happy to muss up the expected, to push the boundaries while still respecting the core traditions of the art form.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2025

Ich muss mich wohl sehr ungeschickt ausgedrückt haben, denn du hast tatsächlich fast jedes Wort missverstanden.

From Scientific American • Sep. 7, 2023

"Ich muss Deutsch lernen," he said: "I have to learn German."

From Reuters • Apr. 5, 2023

He adds, "No muss, no fuss; she's with us."

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2023

She wished somehow they could come to die Wall before Winterfell, so Jon might muss up her hair and call her "little sister."

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin