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
1
A brief, rough physical struggle or fight.
"The two dogs got into a tussle over the ball."
2
A heated disagreement or dispute.
"There was a tussle between the two departments over the budget."
verb
1
To struggle or scuffle with someone.
"The children tussled playfully on the lawn."
How to use tussle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short scuffle or argument, whether physical or over an issue.
Common pairings
a tussle over
get into a tussle
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Word forms
- Plural
- tussles
- Third person singular
- tussles
- Past tense
- tussled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two dogs got into a _____ over the ball.
Etymology
Related to "tousle", both likely coming from an old word meaning to pull or handle roughly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
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.
