Fuss

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ÊŒs

Origin

Of unkown origin. Perhaps from Danish fjas ("nonsense")

Online Etymology Dictionary|fuss

, from Middle Low German (compare German faseln ("to maunder, talk nonsense"))

Full definition of fuss

Noun

1. (countable or uncountable) Excessive activity, worry, bother, or talk about something.
   They made a big fuss about the wedding plans.
   What's all the fuss about?
• Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)zealously, assiduously, and with a minimum of fuss or noise
• 1935, George Goodchild, Death on the Centre Court Chapter 1, “Anthea hasn't a notion in her head but to vamp a lot of silly mugwumps. She's set her heart on that tennis bloke...whom the papers are making such a fuss about.”
1. A complaint or noise.
   If you make enough of a fuss about the problem, maybe they'll fix it for you.
2. An exhibition of affection or admiration.
   They made a great fuss over the new baby.
2. One who is unduly anxious about trifles.
• W. D. Howells (1837-1920)I am a fuss and I don't deny it.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To be very worried or excited about something, often too much.His grandmother will never quit fussing over his vegetarianism.
2. (intransitive) To fiddle; fidget; wiggle, or adjust; to worry somethingQuit fussing with your hair. It looks fine.
3. (intransitive, especially of baby, babies) To cry or be ill-humoured.

Usage notes

Generally used with with, over, or about.

Verb

1. (transitive) To show affection for, especially animals.
2. (transitive) To pet.He fussed the cat.

Derived terms

• fussy
• fuss and bother
• no muss no fuss