fuss

/fʌs/ (bre, ipa) · /fʌs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfəs/ (ame, mw)

fuss — noun

1. worry, excitement, or annoyance that is stronger than a situation really needs —

1.名詞B1
釋義

worry, excitement, or annoyance that is stronger than a situation really needs — for example, when people argue loudly over a tiny mistake that can be fixed in seconds.

例句

Sari made a huge fuss over a small scratch on her new table.

make a fuss over [something] — object of complaint

A huge fuss broke out at the airport over a twenty-minute delay.

同義詞
  • commotion

    focuses more on loud noise and confusion; slightly more formal

  • to-do

    informal British term with the same meaning

  • drama

    informal; emphasises exaggerated emotional reaction

用法筆記

Commonly used in the patterns 'make a fuss about/over [something]' and 'kick up a fuss'. The noun is typically used with an indefinite article ('a fuss') even when uncountable.

常見錯誤

❌Sari made a huge fuss to a small scratch.
✅Sari made a huge fuss over a small scratch.
💡the preposition is 'over' or 'about', not 'to'.

2. special care and attention that you give to someone to make them feel liked, adm

2.名詞B1
釋義

special care and attention that you give to someone to make them feel liked, admired, or comfortable — like cooking a guest's favourite meal or praising a child's drawing warmly.

例句

Grandma always makes a big fuss of Reuben when he visits.

make a fuss of/over [someone] — show affection through attention

Isabela loves the fuss the hotel staff make when she stays there.

同義詞
  • attention

    broader term without the affectionate nuance

  • pampering

    stronger focus on indulging someone with treats or services

  • coddling

    slightly negative — suggests too much protective care

用法筆記

Typically used in the fixed phrase 'make a fuss of/over someone'. More common in British English than American English. The focus is on affectionate attention, not complaint.

常見錯誤

❌They made a fuss with the baby.
✅They made a fuss of the baby.
💡the correct preposition is 'of' (British) or 'over', not 'with'.

3. a lot of effort or attention spent on small, unimportant matters — for instance,

3.名詞B2
釋義

a lot of effort or attention spent on small, unimportant matters — for instance, arguing about the correct font for a poster that only a few people will read.

例句

There was a lot of fuss about the colour of the office curtains.

fuss about [something trivial]

Tamás thinks all the fuss over grammar rules is a waste of time.

同義詞
  • bother

    also implies unnecessary effort, but more general

  • ado

    archaic/literary; found in the idiom 'much ado about nothing'

用法筆記

Often carries a tone of mild criticism — the speaker thinks the attention is misdirected. Typically followed by 'about' or 'over' + the trivial matter.

fuss — verb