muss

¹muss

noun \ˈməs\

Definition of MUSS

1

obsolete

a : a game in which players scramble for small objects thrown to the ground

b : scramble

2

slang : a confused conflict : row

3

: a state of disorder : mess

Examples of MUSS

1. <careful planning had eliminated most of the muss that usually accompanies a move to a new house>

Origin of MUSS

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1591

Related to MUSS

Synonyms

chance-medley, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorder, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization, free-for-all, havoc, heck, hell, jumble, mare's nest, mess, messiness, misorder, muddle, chaos, shambles, snake pit, tumble, welter

Antonyms

order, orderliness

Related Words

anarchy, lawlessness, misrule, riot; knot, snarl, tangle; labyrinth, maze, web; maelstrom, storm; bollix, clutter, litter, mishmash, shuffle; hodgepodge, medley, miscellany, morass, motley

Near Antonyms

method, pattern, plan, system

Rhymes with MUSS

bus, buss, crus, cuss, fuss, plus, pus, Russ, suss, thus, truss, us

²muss

transitive verb

Definition of MUSS

: to make untidy : disarrange

Examples of MUSS

1. His suit was mussed when he got out of the car.
2. <the wind mussed up my hair>

First Known Use of MUSS

1835

Related to MUSS

Synonyms

confuse, derange, disarrange, disarray, discompose, dishevel, disjoint, dislocate, disorganize, disrupt, disturb, hash, jumble, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, disorder, rumple, scramble, shuffle, tousle, tumble, upset

Antonyms

arrange, array, dispose, draw up, marshal (also marshall), order, organize, range, regulate, straighten (up), tidy

Related Words

embroil, entangle, snarl, tangle; agitate, perturb, stir (up), unsettle; clutter

Near Antonyms

align (also aline), line, line up, queue; classify, codify, methodize, systematize, systemize; adjust, fix; groom, make up, spruce (up); unscramble