What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Fuss vs Fess - What's the difference?

fuss | fess |

As an adjective fuss

is willing.

As a verb fess is

to confess; to admit.

As a noun fess is

(heraldiccharge) a horizontal band across the middle of the shield.

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

    fess

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (confess), by shortening

    Verb

    (es)
  • To confess; to admit.
    • Derived terms
    * fess up English clippings

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl)

    Alternative forms

    * fesse

    Noun

    (es)
  • (heraldiccharge) A horizontal band across the middle of the shield.
  • * 1892 , Arthur Conan Doyle, ‘The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor’, Norton 2005 p.294:
    • Lord Robert Walsingham de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral—Hum! Arms: Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable.
  • * 2009 , Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall , Fourth Estate 2010, p. 420:
    • The space where the arms of Wolsey used to be is being repainted with his own newly granted arms: azure, on a fess between three lions rampant or, a rose gules, barbed vert, between two Cornish choughs proper .