Definition of fuss
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: a state of agitation especially over a trivial matter
in a fuss and stew all afternoon— Molly L. Bar-David
c
: an often petty controversy or quarrel
the fuss they are raising … over certain words and phrases— B. J. Hendricks
fuss
verb
fussed; fussing; fusses
Definition of fuss (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
Test Your Vocabulary
Commonly Confused Words Quiz
-
- I went to the ______ store to buy a birthday card.

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share fuss
Time Traveler for fuss
The first known use of fuss was in 1701
See more words from the same year