Fussiness

Fussiness is the state of being excessively concerned with minor details, standards, or etiquette, often leading to nitpicking, complaints, and dissatisfaction. It involves an exaggerated sensitivity to trivial imperfections or inconveniences, showing a lack of tolerance for variations or deviations from a rigid expectation. This trait frequently manifests in picky eating habits, a fastidious approach to cleanliness, and a tendency to become easily irritated by perceived slights or shortcomings in others or circumstances. People exhibiting fussiness may place undue importance on appearances, procedures, or the order of things, which can be perceived by others as demanding, difficult, or even neurotic.

Fussiness meaning with examples

• The toddler's fussiness at mealtimes made dinner a constant struggle; she would only eat food prepared in a specific way and would reject anything slightly off-color or with a different texture. This persistent pickiness stressed her parents and often led to wasted food and frustrated efforts to introduce new foods into her diet.
• The event planner's fussiness over the seating arrangements meant the guest list was constantly scrutinized, and endless revisions were made to the table assignments. Every placement needed to perfectly adhere to the desired aesthetics, leaving some guests annoyed by the constant adjustments and perceived obsession with minor details.
• Her fussiness about the cleanliness of her apartment was legendary; every surface had to be spotless, every item meticulously arranged. Friends avoided visiting, concerned they would inadvertently make a mess and face her critical observations, creating social strain and isolating her from her social group.
• His fussiness regarding the project's presentation required constant revisions and corrections from his team. Even when they believed they had met his requirements, he would find small errors or stylistic inconsistencies, leading to delays and demoralization among the team members.