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
fussed; fussing; fusses
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
fusser
noun
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
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Featuring four polished wooden blocks in warm tones topped with knotted jute rope bows, the set adds an autumnal charm with minimal fuss.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Angelina Liu, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Inside, Seán glanced briefly away from the television as the women fussed at Orla’s return.
—Anne Enright, New Yorker, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fuss
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Noun
That's because people with clean homes know the tricks to maintaining without too much fuss.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Featuring four polished wooden blocks in warm tones topped with knotted jute rope bows, the set adds an autumnal charm with minimal fuss.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
This was the mid 1980s and tandem skydiving hadn’t been popularized yet, so his father, Roger, adjusted accordingly by stuffing carpet padding into the leg pads to stop him from fussing.
—Angelina Liu, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Inside, Seán glanced briefly away from the television as the women fussed at Orla’s return.
—Anne Enright, New Yorker, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fuss
Cite this Entry
“Fuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuss. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fuss
1 of 2 noun1
: unnecessary activity or excitement often over something unimportant
2
3
: a great show of interest
made a fuss over the baby
fuss
2 of 2 verb
: to make a fuss
fusser
noun
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