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
fussily adverb
fussiness noun

Examples of fussy in a Sentence

I'm not fussy about where we eat. The room was cluttered and fussy.
Recent Examples on the Web Chris recruits Shilpa to brainstorm recipes for simple baking projects that are delicious without being too fussy, in order to build the confidence that Nina craves. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024 End of carousel Simu Liu Its asymmetrical hem could look avant-garde, but could also look fussy. Rachel Tashjian, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Victoria Monét’s two-year-old daughter was fussy on the red carpet, cutely interrupting interviews and looking thoroughly disgruntled during photo ops. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2024 The reason why Apple is being so fussy, even compared to its fellow tech giants, according to Bradford, is that this law takes aim at the core of their app business. Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 24 Jan. 2024 These slip-on shoes are ideal for travelers living a busy life who don’t want to be inhibited by fussy shoes, while a luxe leather exterior and rubber sole ensure that these shoes are sure to be a mainstay in your wardrobe for years to come. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Feb. 2024 Many children may be fussy about food at one point or another. Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 If your child has stomach problems or is fussy after meals, talk to your pediatrician and visit an allergist. Kaitlin Bell, Parents, 6 Feb. 2024 In overly formal or traditional spaces, fringe might feel outdated or fussy. Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fussy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fussy was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near fussy

Cite this Entry

“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fussy. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

fussy

adjective
fussier; fussiest
1
: inclined to complain or whine
a fussy child
2
a
: needing or giving much attention to details
a fussy job
b
: hard to please
fussy about food
fussily adverb
fussiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fussy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!