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Fuss vs Complain - What's the difference?

fuss | complain |

As an adjective fuss

is willing.

As a verb complain is

to express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.

fuss

English

Noun

(es)
  • Excessive activity, worry, bother, or talk about something.
  • * (Thomas Carlyle) (1795-1881)
  • zealously, assiduously, and with a minimum of fuss or noise
  • *{{quote-book, year=1935, author= George Goodchild
  • , title=Death on the Centre Court, chapter=1 , passage=“Anthea hasn't a notion in her head but to vamp a lot of silly mugwumps. She's set her heart on that tennis bloke
  • # A complaint or noise.
  • # An exhibition of affection or admiration.
  • One who is unduly anxious about trifles.
  • * (1837-1920)
  • I am a fuss and I don't deny it.

    Verb

    (es)
  • To be very worried or excited about something, often too much.
  • His grandmother will never quit fussing over his vegetarianism.
  • To fiddle; fidget; wiggle, or adjust; to worry something
  • Quit fussing with your hair. It looks fine.
  • (especially of babies) To cry or be ill-humoured.
  • Usage notes

    * Generally used with with, over, or about.

    Verb

    (head)
  • To show affection for, especially animals.
  • To pet.
  • He fussed the cat.

    Derived terms

    * fussy * fuss and bother * no muss no fuss

    References

    complain

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
  • Joe was always complaining about the noise made by his neighbours.
  • * Milton
  • O loss of sight, of thee I most complain !
  • To make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge.
  • They've complained about me to the police again.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the king?
  • To creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.
  • the complaining bed-springs

    Synonyms

    * grumble * grouse * grump * bitch * beef * gripe * whine * kvetch * moan * whinge * See also