kerfuffle

== English == === Alternative forms === cufuffle, cuffuffle, curfuffle, gefuffle, kafuffle, kerfluff, kerfluffle, kurfuffle, fuffle (by apheresis) === 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”) === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /kəˈfʌfəl/ (US) IPA(key): /kɚˈfʌfəl/ Rhymes: -ʌfəl === Noun === kerfuffle (plural kerfuffles) (chiefly Commonwealth, informal) A disorderly outburst, disturbance, commotion, or tumult. [from 19th c.] Synonyms: brouhaha, donnybrook, fracas, hubbub, hullabaloo, mess, racket ==== Derived terms ==== kerfluff kerfuffly ==== Translations ==== === Verb === kerfuffle (third-person singular simple present kerfuffles, present participle kerfuffling, simple past and past participle kerfuffled) (chiefly Ireland, UK, Commonwealth, informal, transitive) To make a disorderly outburst or commotion.