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

Other Word Forms

• complainingly adverb
• complainer noun
• complainable adjective
• uncomplained adjective
• uncomplaining adjective
• uncomplainingly 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

The leader of the rail workers union Fectrans claimed that some workers had complained that problems with the tension of the cable that hauls the carriages had made braking difficult.

From BBC

Some fans have complained about the timing of the postponement announcements for both Coldplay and Post Malone's shows, considering the strikes were announced more than two weeks ago.

From BBC

Some have complained of a lack of transparency from the company.

From BBC

Hopper had both legs amputated after complaining that his feet were in pain.

From BBC

In December, the BBC complained to Apple after the tech giant's new iPhone feature generated a false headline about the accused murderer.

From BBC

Related Words

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