Negative Connotations:
* Difficult: Someone who is fussy is often seen as difficult to please, demanding, or overly critical.
* Picky: They might be picky about food, clothes, or other things, making it hard to satisfy them.
* Overly concerned with details: Fussy people can be perceived as nitpicky and overly focused on minor details, sometimes to the point of being annoying.
* Unhappy: The word "fussy" can also imply a person is easily agitated, unhappy, or irritable.
Slightly Negative Connotations:
* Careful: In some cases, "fussy" can imply someone is simply detail-oriented and meticulous. This is often used for tasks requiring precision.
* Elegant: The word "fussy" can sometimes be used to describe something intricate, elaborate, or elegant, like a "fussy" Victorian dress. This is a more positive connotation, but still carries a sense of complexity and perhaps even an over-the-top quality.
It's important to consider the context when interpreting the meaning of "fussy."
For example, "He's a fussy eater" implies a negative connotation, while "She's a fussy dresser" might be slightly negative, or even slightly positive depending on the context and tone.