fuss

1 of 2

noun

ˈfəs 

1

a

: needless bustle or excitement

They got down to business without any fuss.

b

: a show of flattering attention

made a big fuss over his favorite niece

2

a

: a state of agitation especially over a trivial matter

in a fuss and stew all afternoon

—Molly L. Bar-David

b

: objection, protest

She accepted the new assignment without any fuss.

c

: an often petty controversy or quarrel

the fuss they are raising … over certain words and phrases

—B. J. Hendricks

fuss

2 of 2

verb

fussed; fussing; fusses

intransitive verb

1

a

: to create or be in a state of restless activity

especially : to shower flattering attentions

fussing over the grandchildren

b

: to pay close or undue attention to small details

fussed with her hair

2

a

: to become upset : worry

b

: to express annoyance or pique : complain

transitive verb

: agitate, upset

fusser noun

Synonyms

Noun

• challenge
• complaint
• demur
• demurral
• demurrer
• difficulty
• exception
• expostulation
• kick
• objection
• protest
• question
• remonstrance
• stink

Verb

• beef
• bellyache
• bitch
• bleat
• carp
• caterwaul
• complain
• crab
• croak
• gripe
• grizzle
• grouch
• grouse
• growl
• grumble
• grump
• holler
• inveigh
• keen
• kick
• kvetch
• maunder [chiefly British]
• moan
• murmur
• mutter
• nag
• repine
• scream
• squawk
• squeal
• wail
• whimper
• whine
• whinge [British]
• yammer
• yawp
• yaup
• yowl

Examples of fuss in a Sentence

Noun

They got down to business without any fuss.

What is all the fuss about?

Her new novel has caused quite a fuss.

I don't want to make a fuss, but this soup is cold.

Verb

She'll fuss the whole time we're gone.

I told him not to fuss.

The baby fussed all day.

Stop fussing and get to work!

He's fussing about his new assignment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There's also a first-order discount so new customers can see what all the fuss is about. —Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024

Fortunately, Chambers specializes in making food fun and exciting without much fuss. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 5 Oct. 2024

Verb

While some parents are fine with sleep training methods that involve lengthy separations from their babies, and a fair amount of crying and fussing, for other parents, these methods just don’t feel right.1 That’s where gentle sleep training come into play. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 17 Sep. 2024

Somebody's done all the worrying and fussing for you! —Joe Ray, WIRED, 31 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1792, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing fuss

• fuss over
• fuss with
• kick up a fuss/stink
• raise a fuss

Kids Definition

fuss

1 of 2 noun

ˈfəs 

1

: unnecessary activity or excitement often over something unimportant

2

: protest entry 1

3

: a great show of interest

made a fuss over the baby

fuss

2 of 2 verb

: to make a fuss

fusser noun