fuss

UK: /ˈfʌs/ US: /fʌs/ ,(fus)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fuss /fʌs/   n. [countable]

1. an excessive display of attention or activity:
   made a fuss over a little accident.
2. an argument or noisy dispute.
3. a complaint or protest, esp. about something relatively unimportant.

v. [no obj]

4. to care too much about small and unimportant things:
   to fuss over details.
5. to behave in a busy or nervous manner;
   flutter about:
   mothers fussing over their children.
6. to complain, esp. about something relatively unimportant:
   to fuss and fume about the delay.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fuss  (fus), n. 

1. an excessive display of anxious attention or activity;
   needless or useless bustle:
   They made a fuss over the new baby.
2. an argument or noisy dispute:
   They had a fuss about who should wash dishes.
3. a complaint or protest, esp. about something relatively unimportant.

v.i. 

4. to make a fuss;
   make much ado about trifles:
   You'll never finish the job if you fuss over details.
5. to complain esp. about something relatively unimportant.

v.t. 

6. to disturb, esp. with trifles;
   annoy;
   bother.

• origin, originally uncertain 1695–1705

fuss′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. . pother, to-do, stir, commotion.
• 6. . pester.

Antonyms

• 1. . inactivity.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fuss / fʌs/ noun

1. nervous activity or agitation, esp when disproportionate or unnecessary
2. complaint or objection: he made a fuss over the bill
3. an exhibition of affection or admiration, esp if excessive: they made a great fuss over the new baby
4. a quarrel; dispute

verb

1. (intransitive) to worry unnecessarily
2. (intransitive) to be excessively concerned over trifles
3. when intr, usually followed by over: to show great or excessive concern, affection, etc (for)
4. (transitive) to bother (a person)

Etymology: 18th Century: of uncertain origin

ˈfusser noun