What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
finicking
Example
The finicking chef spent hours perfecting the presentation of the dish. [finicking: adjective]
Example
She was finicking over the placement of each item on the shelf. [finicking: verb]
fussy
Example
The fussy customer complained about the temperature of the water in the glass. [fussy: adjective]
Example
He was fussing over the arrangement of the furniture in the room. [fussing: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fussy is more commonly used than finicking in everyday language. Fussy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while finicking is less common and refers to a more specific type of behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between finicking and fussy?
Finicking is more formal than fussy. It is often used in professional or academic settings to describe someone who is meticulous and precise in their work or behavior, while fussy is more commonly used in informal or everyday contexts to describe someone who is difficult to please or easily annoyed.