fussy

adjective \ ˈfə-sē \

Definition of fussy

fussier; fussiest

1 :easily upset :irritable

2 :overly decorative

a fussy wallpaper pattern

3 a :requiring or giving close attention to details

fussy bookkeeping procedures

b :revealing a sometimes extreme concern for niceties :fastidious, picky

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fussily

play \ˈfə-sə-lē\ adverb

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fussiness

play \ˈfə-sē-nəs\ noun

See fussy defined for English-language learners

See fussy defined for kids

Examples of fussy in a Sentence

I'm not fussy about where we eat.
The room was cluttered and fussy.

Recent Examples of fussy from the Web

Unstable supply of high-quality vanilla from fussy orchids grown far, far away translates into high prices for shoppers in Wisconsin.

— jennifer rude klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Exotic vanilla: Beloved flavoring is anything but plain, but it is pricey," 8 Aug. 2017
But listen to the song, to its scurrying, fidgety instrumentation, its fussy avoidance of anything like a melody.

— james parker, The Atlantic, "The Whitest Music Ever," 4 Aug. 2017
One local Maryland restaurant had a genius solution to solve that inevitable mealtime tantrum by creating a special kids' menu perfect for fussy eaters, Reddit user IWishItWouldSnow discovered.

— miranda siwak, Good Housekeeping, "Restaurant Creates the Most Hilarious Kids' Menu for Picky Eaters," 26 July 2017
For equally elegant, less fussy nails, go short, round, and dark.

— the editors, Marie Claire, "45 Expert-Approved Beauty Tips to Hack Your Makeup Routine," 14 July 2017
In 2011, a video of him expertly comforting a fussy baby went viral.

— alexandra king, CNN, "Obama charms seemingly stoked Alaskan baby," 8 July 2017
DRINKS Lighthearted, easygoing and tiki-adjacent, the cocktails at Diamond Reef are far less fussy than those at Attaboy.

— joshua david stein, New York Times, "Diamond Reef, a Tropical Bar for Brooklyn Summers," 3 July 2017
Try this: a monochromatic look that isn’t too fussy, a sheer Lacausa dress that justifies wearing something underneath it, and strappy heels to give you some height off the ground.

— The Cut, "Whoever Said You Can’t Wear Dresses Over Pants Is Wrong," 28 June 2017
Might sound a little fussy, but there are plenty of folks who don't want to touch meat with their bare hands, both for safety and aesthetic concerns, and others who want an extra step to help that rub stay on the meat.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Grilling tools that do double-duty at the cookout (photos)," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fussy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.