Definition

1. Noun:

   • A state of nervous or excited activity, often over something unimportant: "Fuss" can refer to unnecessary excitement, worry, or commotion about minor matters.
   • A display of concern or anxiety: It also describes a show of excessive or agitated attention.
   • A minor argument or complaint: "Fuss" can mean a quarrel or protest about trivial points.

2. Verb:

   • To act or behave in a nervous, restless, or anxious way: The basic meaning is to show unnecessary concern or excitement.
   • To pay excessive attention to small details: "Fuss" also means to handle something with more care or worry than is needed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • There was a lot of fuss over the new office chairs. (There was a lot of unnecessary commotion about the new office chairs.)
  • She made a fuss when her order was wrong. (She complained loudly when her order was wrong.)

• Verb:

  • Stop fussing and sit down; the train will arrive soon. (Stop worrying nervously and sit down; the train will arrive soon.)
  • He always fusses over his appearance before a meeting. (He always pays excessive attention to his appearance before a meeting.)

Advanced Usage

• "to make a fuss": to complain or become upset about something.

  • The customer made a fuss until he received a refund. (The customer complained loudly until he received a refund.)

• "to make a fuss of/over someone": to give someone a lot of attention and affection.

  • Grandma always makes a fuss over the grandchildren. (Grandma always gives the grandchildren a lot of affectionate attention.)

• "to kick up a fuss": to cause a disturbance or loud complaint.

  • They kicked up a fuss when the concert was canceled. (They caused a loud disturbance when the concert was canceled.)

Variants and Related Words

• Fussy (adj): overly concerned with details; hard to please.

  • He's a very fussy eater. (He is very particular and hard to please about food.)

• Fussbudget (n, informal): a person who is fussy about small, unimportant details.

  • My uncle is a real fussbudget about keeping his car clean. (My uncle is very fussy about keeping his car clean.)

Synonyms

• Commotion: a state of confused and noisy disturbance.
• Ado: trouble or difficulty, often unnecessary.
• Bother: effort, worry, or minor trouble.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fuss over: to give someone or something excessive attention or care.
  • She loves to fuss over her garden. (She loves to give her garden a lot of detailed attention.)

Related Idioms

• Much ado about nothing: a lot of excitement or worry over something unimportant (similar in meaning to making a fuss).

  • The argument was much ado about nothing. (The argument was a lot of fuss over something trivial.)

• Don't make a federal case out of it!: Don't exaggerate the importance of a minor issue (similar to telling someone not to make a fuss).

  • It's just a small scratch on the car; don't make a federal case out of it! (It's just a small scratch; don't make a big fuss about it!)

Noun

1. a rapid active commotion
2. a quarrel about petty points
3. an angry disturbance
   • he didn't want to make a fuss
   • they had labor trouble
   • a spot of bother
4. an excited state of agitation
   • he was in a dither
   • there was a terrible flap about the theft

Verb

1. care for like a mother
   • She fusses over her husband
2. worry unnecessarily or excessively
   • don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now