fuss

fuss¹ S3 [fʌs] n [singular, U]

[Date: 1700-1800; Origin: Perhaps from the sound of someone breathing quickly and excitedly]

1.) anxious behaviour or activity that is usually about unimportant things

▪ James said he'd better be getting back or there'd be a fuss .

▪ The Steamatic enables you to clean any carpet with the minimum of fuss .

2.) attention or excitement that is usually unnecessary or unwelcome

▪ They wanted a quiet wedding without any fuss.

▪ Until I heard her sing I couldn't see what all the fuss was about (=why people liked it so much) .

3.) make a fuss/kick up a fuss (about sth)

to complain or become angry about something, especially when this is not necessary

▪ Josie kicked up a fuss because the soup was too salty.

▪ I don't know why you're making such a fuss about it.

4.) make a fuss of sb/sth

BrE make a fuss over sb/sth AmE

to pay a lot of attention to someone or something, to show that you are pleased with them or like them

▪ Make a fuss of your dog when he behaves properly.

fuss ²

fuss² v

1.) to worry a lot about things that may not be very important

▪ I wish you'd stop fussing - I'll be perfectly all right.

2.) to pay too much attention to small unimportant details

fuss with/around/about

▪ Paul was fussing with his clothes, trying to get his tie straight.

3.) [i]AmE to behave in an unhappy or angry way

▪ The baby woke up and started to fuss.

fuss over / [fuss over sb/sth] phr v

to pay a lot of attention or too much attention to someone or something, especially to show that you are pleased with them or like them

▪ His aunts fussed over him all the time.