English Explanatory Dictionary

complain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
To make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge.
To creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.

Pronunciation

/kəmˈpleɪn/ en-us-complain.ogg

Word forms

complain complains complaining complained

Etymology

From Middle English complaynen, from Old French complaindre, from Medieval Latin complangere (“to bewail, complain”), from Latin com- (“together”) + plangere (“to strike, beat, as the breast in extreme grief, bewail”); see plain, plaint.

Synonyms

beef bellyache bemoan bitch bleat whimper carp chunter complain crab croak dump on frine girn give out grumble grotch grouse grouch grump gruntle gripe harp inveigh kvetch latrate make a stink murmur mutter moan nag nark nudzh pinch piss and moan rail rail out repine ride snivel whine whinge

Related words

complainer fastidious peevish utter

Derived words

can't complain complainable complainee complainer complainingly complainingness complain king complain queen complainy noncomplaining uncomplained uncomplaining you'd complain if you were hung with a new rope

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