US /fʊs/ UK /fʌs/
verb noun Freq #4771

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    Unnecessary worry, excitement, or activity about something small.

    They made a big fuss about the wedding plans.

  2. 2
    verb

    To worry or get excited about something more than is needed.

    His grandmother never stops fussing over what he eats.

  3. 3
    verb

    To keep touching or adjusting something nervously.

    Stop fussing with your hair; it looks fine.

  4. 4
    noun

    A lot of attention or affection shown to someone.

    They made a great fuss over the new baby.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · unnecessary worry,... bothercommotionado
2 verb · to worry or get excited... fret
Word family
Forms fussedfussesfussing
Derived forms fuss-budgetfuss-budgetryfussablefussbudgetfussbuttonfusserfusslessfusspotfussy

Etymology

Of unknown origin. Perhaps from Danish fjas (“nonsense”), from Middle Low German (compare German faseln (“to maunder, talk nonsense”)). Compare also fouse (“to hasten, rush, tumble, disarrange”).

View etymology graph ->

Topics

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