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Wuss vs Fuss - What's the difference?

wuss | fuss |

As nouns the difference between wuss and fuss

is that wuss is a weak or ineffectual person while fuss is excessive activity, worry, bother, or talk about something.

As verbs the difference between wuss and fuss

is that wuss is {{only used in|wuss out|lang=en} while fuss is to be very worried or excited about something, often too much.

wuss

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (slang) A weak or ineffectual person.
  • * 1976, Univ. N. Carolina, Chapel Hill, Campus Slang typescript
    • Nov. 6 Come on you wuss, hit a basket..! John's a wuss.''
  • * 1982, Cameron Crowe, Fast Times At Ridgemont High (Screenplay)
    • Mike Damone: You are a wuss: part wimp, and part pussy''
  • * 1995, Rob Huizenga, You're Okay, It's Just a Bruise Page 120
    • ...if you got a reputation as a wuss around the league, nobody else would ever even trade for you, or pick you up if you got cut.
  • * 2003, Andrea P. Roberts, Uncovered: 20 Hints for Men from a Bisexual Woman Page 7
    • And finally, don't be a wuss . Have a rich-man's attitude. Men who have money are generally confident and assertive.
  • * 2003, Marc J. Soares, 100 Hikes in Yosemite National Park Page 21
    • ...stop, study the map, and wait for the others. It's better to be a wuss than a stud.

    Synonyms

    * pansy, pushover, weakling, wimp

    Derived terms

    * wuss out

    Verb

    (es)
    • ----

    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