kerfuffle
ker·fuf·fle
noun \kər-ˈfə-fəl\Definition of KERFUFFLE
chiefly British
: disturbance, fuss
Examples of KERFUFFLE
- <predictably, the royal scandal caused quite a kerfuffle on Fleet Street>
Origin of KERFUFFLE
alteration of carfuffle, from Scots car- (probably from Scottish Gaelic cearr wrong, awkward) + fuffle to become disheveled
First Known Use: 1946
Related to KERFUFFLE
Synonyms: ado, alarums and excursions, ballyhoo, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle, clatter, clutter [chiefly dialect], coil, corroboree [Australian], disturbance, do [chiefly dialect], foofaraw, fun, furor, furore, fuss, helter-skelter, hoo-ha (also hoo-hah), hoopla, hubble-bubble, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly, hurly-burly, hurricane, hurry, hurry-scurry (or hurry-skurry), commotion [chiefly British], moil, pandemonium, pother, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, splore [Scottish], squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do, tumult, turmoil, uproar, welter, whirl, williwaw, zoo
Related Words: cacophony, clamor, din, howl, hue and cry, noise, outcry, racket, roar; disorder, unrest, upheaval; eruption, flare-up, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst; brawl, fracas, fray, hassle, melee (also mêlée), scuffle; dither, fever, fret, lather, tizzy
Near Antonyms: calm, hush, peace, quiet, quietude, rest, stillness, tranquillity (or tranquility); order, orderliness
Learn More About KERFUFFLE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: Kerguelen cabbage
Previous Word in the Dictionary: kerflop
All Words Near: kerfuffle
Previous Word in the Dictionary: kerflop
All Words Near: kerfuffle
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up kerfuffle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).








