English Explanatory Dictionary

kerfuffle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A disorderly outburst, disturbance, commotion, or tumult.
verb
  1. To make a disorderly outburst or commotion.

Pronunciation

/kəˈfʌfəl/ /kɚˈfʌfəl/ en-us-kerfuffle.ogg en-au-kerfuffle.ogg

Word forms

kerfuffle kerfuffles cufuffle cuffuffle curfuffle gefuffle kafuffle kerfluff kerfluffle kurfuffle fuffle kerfuffling kerfuffled

Etymology

Probably from Scots curfuffle, equivalent to ker- + fuffle, or related to Irish cíor thuathail (“confusion, bewilderment”). Similar to modern Welsh cythrwfl (“uproar, trouble, agitation”)

Synonyms

brouhaha donnybrook fracas hubbub hullabaloo mess racket

Derived words

kerfluff kerfuffly
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