fussier; fussiest
1
: easily upset : irritable
2
: overly decorative
a fussy wallpaper pattern
3
a
: requiring or giving close attention to details
fussy bookkeeping procedures
b
: revealing a sometimes extreme concern for niceties : fastidious, picky
fussily adverb
fussiness noun

Examples of fussy in a Sentence

I'm not fussy about where we eat. The room was cluttered and fussy.
Recent Examples on the Web These slip-on shoes are ideal for travelers living a busy life who don’t want to be inhibited by fussy shoes, while a luxe leather exterior and rubber sole ensure that these shoes are sure to be a mainstay in your wardrobe for years to come. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Feb. 2024 Many children may be fussy about food at one point or another. Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 If your child has stomach problems or is fussy after meals, talk to your pediatrician and visit an allergist. Kaitlin Bell, Parents, 6 Feb. 2024 In overly formal or traditional spaces, fringe might feel outdated or fussy. Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Feb. 2024 Documents say the girl’s mother, 24-year-old Sara Harris, told police the girl was fussy the night before and gave her ibuprofen via a syringe at 5 p.m. the day prior and carried her around until the baby fell asleep at 2:30 a.m. The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 Just as Binoche’s gifts elevated the earlier film, the key asset here is Gael García Bernal, who brings a depth of feeling too often dulled elsewhere by the fussy future-tech details of the central premise. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 During the flight home to Newark on Jan. 6, Romey wasn’t fussy at all. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024 This answers one of the major criticisms with the last-generation V-8 and V-12 Vantage models; that being their fussy switchgear layouts, Mercedes parts-bin controls, and add-on center screen. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fussy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fussy was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near fussy

Cite this Entry

“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fussy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fussy

adjective
fussier; fussiest
1
: inclined to complain or whine
a fussy child
2
a
: needing or giving much attention to details
a fussy job
b
: hard to please
fussy about food
fussily adverb
fussiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fussy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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