noun

tussle

TUH-suhl

Tussle (noun) means a brief, rough physical struggle or fight. Example: “The two dogs got into a tussle over the ball.”

noun

A brief, rough physical struggle or fight.

"The two dogs got into a tussle over the ball."

A heated disagreement or dispute.

"There was a tussle between the two departments over the budget."

verb

To struggle or scuffle with someone.

"The children tussled playfully on the lawn."

How to use tussle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA short scuffle or argument, whether physical or over an issue.

Common pairings

a tussle over get into a tussle

tussled past tense, tussles plural, tussles singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The two dogs got into a _____ over the ball.

Related to "tousle", both likely coming from an old word meaning to pull or handle roughly.

hassle muss scuffle dogfight rough-and-tumble

fight trouble harry bother dispute disorder headache sweetheart

What does “tussle” mean?

The word “tussle” means a brief, rough physical struggle or fight. In plain terms, a short scuffle or argument, whether physical or over an issue.

How do you pronounce “tussle”?

“Tussle” is pronounced TUH-suhl (/ˈtʌsəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “tussle” in a sentence?

Here is “tussle” used in a sentence: “The two dogs got into a tussle over the ball.”

What part of speech is “tussle”?

Depending on how it is used, “tussle” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “tussle” have?

“Tussle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brief, rough physical struggle or fight.

fight trouble harry bother dispute disorder headache sweetheart