fussy

adjective

ˈfə-sē 

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

ˈfə-sə-lē 

adverb

fussiness

ˈfə-sē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• crabby
• cranky
• grouchy
• grumpy
• querulous

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

Children with the virus may be fussy, sleepy throughout the day and cry without tears. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025

Most cats are usually fussy eaters, but one named Mr. Lime recently went viral for snacking on a very unusual food, which has left internet users puzzled. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

These clothes are fanciful, but not fussy—a perfect combo for the times. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024

But the fussy, restrictive stuff that takes a lot to figure out how to wear is just not happening. —Mark Holgate, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Kids Definition

fussy

adjective

ˈfəs-ē 

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

ˈfəs-ə-lē 

adverb

fussiness

ˈfəs-ē-nəs 

noun