How to pronounce fuss
Say it like FUHS. Fuss is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fuss. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FUHS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fuss pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FUHSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of fuss
American and British speakers say fuss in essentially the same way: /fʌs/ in the US and /fʌs/ in the UK.
British respelling: FUHS.
What does fuss mean?
- worry unnecessarily or excessively“don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now”
- care for like a mother“She fusses over her husband”
- an excited state of agitation“he was in a dither”“there was a terrible flap about the theft”
- an angry disturbance“he didn't want to make a fuss”“they had labor trouble”
- a quarrel about petty points
Where does fuss come from?
Of unknown origin. Perhaps from Danish fjas (“nonsense”), from Middle Low German (compare German faseln (“to maunder, talk nonsense”)).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with fuss
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fuss.
Questions about saying fuss
How do you pronounce fuss?
Say FUHS. The American pronunciation is /fʌs/. In British English it is /fʌs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fuss?
Fuss is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: FUHS.
Do Americans and Brits say fuss the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /fʌs/ and the British form is /fʌs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.