Meaning & use
kerfuffle
Last updated
UK/kəˈfʌfl/
US/kərˈfʌfl/
Meaning
nouncountableinformal
A fuss or disturbance, usually minor, caused by confusion or disagreement.
Grammar: Usually singular with a: a kerfuffle broke out.
Patterns
- a kerfuffle over something
- a kerfuffle about something
There was a kerfuffle at the door when two guests arrived with the same ticket.
The small kerfuffle over seating was soon forgotten.
A kerfuffle broke out about who had parked in the wrong spot.
Word forms
| plural | kerfuffles |
|---|
Common combinations
- a bit of a kerfuffle
- There was a bit of a kerfuffle at the meeting.
- kerfuffle over
- The kerfuffle over the schedule ended quickly.
- cause a kerfuffle
- His late arrival caused a kerfuffle.
- a kerfuffle broke out
- A kerfuffle broke out in the line.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fuss
- Fuss is the general word and can be about any small concern.
- commotion
- Commotion stresses noise and activity, not disagreement.
- brouhaha
- Brouhaha is a bit more dramatic and suggests public uproar.
Opposites
Commonly confused: kerfuffle or kerfew?
kerfuffle vs kerfew
Not a word; the similar-sounding word is curfew, a time restriction.
Practice
What is a kerfuffle?
Choose one answer.
A kerfuffle is a small commotion, usually with a light tone.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “kerfuffle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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