fuss

1 noun

1 (singular) nervous or anxious behaviour that is usually about unimportant things : be a fuss: James said he'd better be getting back or there'd be a fuss. | get/be in a fuss: She gets in such a fuss before people come to dinner.

2 (singular, uncountable) attention or excitement that is unnecessary or unwelcome: They wanted a quiet wedding without any fuss.

3 make/kick up a fuss (about) to complain or become angry about something, especially when this is not necessary: Josie kicked up a fuss because she thought the soup she ordered was too salty.

4 make a fuss of BrE, make a fuss over AmE to pay a lot of attention to someone, to show that you are pleased with them or like them: Make a fuss of your dog when he behaves properly.

2 verb

1 (I) 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 (I) to pay too much attention to small, unimportant details

(+ with/around/about): Paul was fussing with his clothes, trying to get his tie straight.

3 be fussed (about) BrE spoken used when you do not think it matters what happens or is done: “Where do you want to go?” “I'm not fussed.”

4 (I) AmE to behave in an unhappy or angry way: The baby woke up and started to fuss.

fuss over sb/sth phrasal verb (T) to pay a lot of or too much attention to someone, especially to show that you are pleased with them or like them