complain

[ kuhm-pleyn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault:

   He complained constantly about the noise in the corridor.

   Antonyms: rejoice

2. to tell of one's pains, ailments, etc.:

   to complain of a backache.

3. to make a formal accusation:

   If you think you've been swindled, complain to the police.

complain

/ kəmˈpleɪn /

verb

1. to express resentment, displeasure, etc, esp habitually; grumble
2. foll by of to state the presence of pain, illness, etc, esp in the hope of sympathy

   she complained of a headache

Derived Forms

• comˈplainingly, adverb
• comˈplainer, noun

Other Words From

• com·plaina·ble adjective
• com·plainer noun
• com·plaining·ly adverb
• uncom·plained adjective
• uncom·plaining adjective
• uncom·plaining·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of complain¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English compleinen, from Anglo-French compleign-, stem of compleindre, Old French complaindre, from Vulgar Latin complangere (unrecorded), from Latin com- com- + plangere “to beat, lament, strike”; plaint

Word History and Origins

Origin of complain¹

C14: from Old French complaindre, from Vulgar Latin complangere (unattested), from Latin com- (intensive) + plangere to bewail

Idioms and Phrases

see can't complain .

Synonym Study

Complain, grumble, growl, whine are terms for expressing dissatisfaction or discomfort. To complain is to protest against or lament a wrong: to complain about high prices. To grumble is to utter ill-natured complaints half to oneself: to grumble about the service. Growl may express more anger than grumble : to growl in reply to a question. To whine is to complain in a meanspirited way, using a nasal tone: to whine like a coward, like a spoiled child.

Example Sentences

“I’m here to complain about the teacher that had the vulgar political language,” said Oscar Avila.

From Los Angeles Times

In May, Israel’s ambassador to the UN wrote to the secretary-general to complain about Syrian violations, including “armed presence in the area of separation” which “only heighten tensions in our already volatile region”.

From BBC

Delegates from poorer nations often complain about how much these big conferences cost them when you add in flights and hotels and the total can come to many thousands of pounds.

From BBC

That message struck a chord with other young people in the city of 12.6 million people, at a time when many in China complain of burnout from an overly-competitive job market.

From BBC

Men complain about way too much these days: Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, women who swipe left on Tinder, "Barbie" or other movies with female leads, pronouns in social media bios, pumpkin spice lattes, whatever Joe Rogan is telling them to be angry about.

From Salon

Related Words

• accuse
• criticize
• denounce
• disagree
• fret
• gripe
• grumble
• lament
• moan
• object
• oppose
• protest