noun / verb

fuss

FUSS/fʌs/

Unnecessary worry or complaint about something minor.

The woman makes a fuss over a tiny spill, offering a towering stack of towels.

An older woman makes a disproportionate fuss over a few spilled drops of tea, urgently offering a towering stack of bath towels while a calm companion easily dabs the tiny spill with the corner of one small cloth.

Etymology

The earliest sense, “trifling bustle,” already joined busy activity with something unimportant. Its origin remains uncertain, but that early meaning connects directly with needless excitement, worry, or attention.

In context

The Happy Chicken Coop0:48

In my experience, the broody can do a better job without the fuss and worry of an incubator. She will hatch them for you and take care of the chicks without any bother.

From Incubator to Chick: Nailing the Egg Hatching Process

More examples

Don't fuss over a tiny scratch on the table.
She accepted the small change in plans without any fuss.
He fussed about having to wait five extra minutes.

Forms

fuss · fusses · fussed · fussing

fussy adjective — Hard to please about small details.

Similar words

fret: Emphasizes anxious worry rather than outward complaints or agitation.
complain: Means expressing dissatisfaction, which need not be trivial or unnecessary.