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

The deep pockets add both style and practicality—great for a mom to put her card and keys in without the fuss of a purse. —Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 15 May 2025

With plug-and-play simplicity, USB-C connectivity and cross-platform compatibility with Macs, PCs, iOS and Android devices, users can record using the M-Track Duo HD with very little setup or fuss. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Verb

As Harper, from Queensland, Australia, pet Olive and stroked her face gently, her furious golden retriever, named Cub, sat upright and appeared to frown at his owner for fussing anyone other than him. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

Video footage of the animals shows the eagle fussing at the coyote and trying to chase it off. —Amanda Kooser, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

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

Rhymes for fuss

• bus
• buss
• cuss
• glace
• huss
• plus
• pus
• russ
• sus
• suss
• thus
• truss

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