fussy
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for fussy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Overly concerned with small details; hard to satisfy.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Overly concerned with small details; hard to satisfy.
“My grandfather is fussy about how his tea is made.”
2. adjective
Cluttered with too much unnecessary detail or decoration.
“The wallpaper pattern was too fussy for such a small room.”
Opposites
How to use fussy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fussy about details
fussy eater
fussy baby
Etymology
From fuss + the adjective-forming suffix -y.
Full origin of fussy →Frequently asked questions
What does “fussy” mean?
The word “fussy” means overly concerned with small details; hard to satisfy. In plain terms, picky or hard to please over small things — or, for a baby, easily irritated and hard to settle.
How do you pronounce “fussy”?
“Fussy” is pronounced FUH-see (/ˈfʌ.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “fussy” in a sentence?
Here is “fussy” used in a sentence: “My grandfather is fussy about how his tea is made.”
What part of speech is “fussy”?
“Fussy” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “fussy” have?
“Fussy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: overly concerned with small details; hard to satisfy.
