fuss

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

fuss — 名詞

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

大驚小怪

因小事而過度激動或生氣

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.

Sari 為了新桌子上一道小刮痕大驚小怪。

make a fuss over [something] — object of complaint

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

班機只延誤二十分鐘，機場就鬧成一團。

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

寵愛

對某人特別關心和照顧

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.

Reuben 每次去看奶奶，奶奶都會對他百般寵愛。

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

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

Isabela 很喜歡入住那間飯店時員工對她的殷勤招待。

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

小題大作

對不重要的小細節投注過多心力或關注

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.

為了辦公室窗簾的顏色，大家小題大作了一番。

fuss about [something trivial]

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

Tamás 認為花那麼多心力在文法規則上是浪費時間。

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 — 動詞