Fuss vs Complain - What's the difference?
fuss | complain |
Excessive activity, worry, bother, or talk about something.
* (Thomas Carlyle) (1795-1881)
*{{quote-book, year=1935, author=
, 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)
To be very worried or excited about something, often too much.
To fiddle; fidget; wiggle, or adjust; to worry something
(especially of babies) To cry or be ill-humoured.
To show affection for, especially animals.
To pet.
To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
* Milton
To make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge.
* Shakespeare
To creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.
As an adjective fuss
is willing.As a verb complain is
to express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.fuss
English
Noun
(es)- zealously, assiduously, and with a minimum of fuss or noise
George Goodchild
- I am a fuss and I don't deny it.
Verb
(es)- His grandmother will never quit fussing over his vegetarianism.
- Quit fussing with your hair. It looks fine.
Usage notes
* Generally used with with, over, or about.Verb
(head)- He fussed the cat.
Derived terms
* fussy * fuss and bother * no muss no fussReferences
complain
English
Verb
(en verb)- Joe was always complaining about the noise made by his neighbours.
- O loss of sight, of thee I most complain !
- They've complained about me to the police again.
- Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the king?
- the complaining bed-springs