kerfuffle

/kərˈfʌfəl/

Other forms: kerfuffles

A kerfuffle is some kind of commotion, controversy, or fuss. If you read about a scandal in a newspaper, it could be described as a kerfuffle.

Kerfuffle is a humorous-sounding word for a mostly non-humorous situation: some kind of disturbance, scandal or mess. However, a kerfuffle usually isn't 100% serious. People talking loudly in public could be making a kerfuffle. If a politician says something embarrassing by accident, it could cause a kerfuffle. Often, people use this word when they think people are making too big a deal of something, as in "What's the kerfuffle all about?"

Definitions of kerfuffle

1. noun

   a disorderly outburst or tumult
   synonyms: commotion, disruption, disturbance, flutter, hoo-ha, hoo-hah, hurly burly, to-do

   types:

   convulsion, turmoil, upheaval

   a violent disturbance

   earthquake

   a disturbance that is extremely disruptive

   incident

   a public disturbance

   splash, stir

   a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event

   maelstrom, storm, tempest

   a violent commotion or disturbance

   storm center, storm centre

   a center of trouble or disturbance

   garboil, tumult, tumultuousness, uproar, zoo

   a state of commotion and noise and confusion

   combustion

   a state of violent disturbance and excitement

   type of:

   disorder

   a disturbance of the peace or of public order