Word of the Day Kerfuffle - Meaning, Usage & IELTS Examples

In the IELTS Speaking and Writing test, using a wide range of words would help you express ideas clearly and stand out of the crowd.

One such useful word for your IELTS exam is “Kerfuffle,” which describes a scene wherein you are disturbed by either a noise caused by a conflict involving others or when you yourself are in it. It is one of the greatest words to use when you get to talk about your past experiences involving disturbing commotion.

Now let us find out more about the word "Kerfuffle" and help you make use of it naturally in your final IELTS test with ease!

Meaning of the Word “Kerfuffle”

This means a disturbance or commotion typically caused by a dispute or conflict. In other words, Kerfuffle refers to a fuss, or small argument caused by a difference of opinion or a small misunderstanding.

History and Origin of the Word “Kerfuffle”

Fuffle was first used in Scottish English as far back as the 16th century. It was used as a verb meaning “to dishevel.” The addition of the prefix car- (possibly derived from a Scottish Gaelic word meaning “wrong” or “awkward”) didn’t change the meaning of the word much. 

In the 19th century, carfuffle, with its variant curfuffle, became a noun, and then in the 20th century it was embraced by a broader population of English speakers and standardized to kerfuffle.

Some More Sentence Examples to Use the Word “Kerfuffle” 

1. In the whole kerfuffle, no one noticed Harry slipping the antique jewellry box under his clothes and walking out.
2. The plagiarism scandal caused a huge kerfuffle at the university.
3. The prime minister’s incendiary remarks on the demolition of the heritage building caused a major kerfuffle in the media and the architecture community.
4. Nobody could escape the public kerfuffle that ensued after the financial scandal.
5. The president had to cancel all his engagements in wake of the kerfuffle that took place after the allegations of corruption were made against his government.
6. There was a minor kerfuffle because of which the student was able to sneak out of school.

Synonyms of “Kerfuffle”

• Commotion
• Fuss
• Disagreement
• Turmoil

Antonyms of “Kerfuffle” 

• Calm
• Serene
• Peace
• Agreement

Using the Word “Kerfuffle” in Sentences 

• There was a small kerfuffle beside our classroom when the students and teachers started arguing.
• This new rule caused quite a kerfuffle among the older employees.
• Do not worry, it was just a small kerfuffle and all of your issues will be sorted out quickly.

Using the Word “Kerfuffle” in the IELTS Writing Task 2 

In the IELTS Writing Task 2, the word kerfuffle can be used to write about a minor dispute, unnecessary fuss or even controversy caused by a new decision or policy. This is useful when discussing social issues, disagreements and also public responses.

For example:

“The government and its sudden introduction of the new tax regime policy created a huge kerfuffle among people,since many of them believed that it was poorly planned and was really unfair.”

Using the Word “Kerfuffle” in IELTS Speaking

IELTS Speaking module, mainly in Part 2 and Part 3, kerfuffle as a word can be used to describe a scene where someone or a group of people made a big issue over something minor or had a small disagreement. This naturally adds a slightly informal tone to your response and shows that you have got a good lexical range.

For example:

“There was a bit of a kerfuffle at the railway station when one passenger refused to follow the safety rules, but thank god, fortunately it was resolved quickly by the concerned officials.”

In conclusion, If you're aiming for top IELTS Band Score, follow the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance just like you now did with the word - Kerfuffle!

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