carp
1to find fault or complain querulously or unreasonably; be niggling in criticizing; cavil: to carp at minor errors.
a peevish complaint.
Origin of carp
1Other words for carp
Other words from carp
- carper, noun
Other definitions for carp (2 of 4)
a large freshwater cyprinid fish, Cyprinus carpio, native to Asia but widely introduced in tropical and temperate waters: an important food fish in many countries.
any of various other fishes of the family Cyprinidae.
Origin of carp
2Other definitions for -carp (3 of 4)
a combining form occurring in compounds that denote a part of a fruit or fruiting body: endocarp.
Origin of -carp
3Other definitions for carp. (4 of 4)
carpentry.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use carp in a sentence
Bringing in more revenue than most African governments is hardly reason to carp.
Google 2011 Results Show Growth, But Can Tech Giant Thrive in Long Run? | Zachary Karabell | January 20, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTMade with roe from mullet, carp, cod, lobsters, or even crab, taramasalata—salty, creamy, bright, with little pops!
Instead, they gave Americans tax cuts, defense hikes, and middle class spending, leaving Democrats to carp about deficits.
I'm not enamored of a straight meat diet as a rule, but that evening I was in no mood to carp at anything half-way eatable.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairHe, for one, did not carp at Aunt Rachel's declaration that they were intended to spend time and eternity together.
At Last | Marion Harland
A fountain tinkled and fat carp swam about in the fluted marble basin.
The Adventures of Kathlyn | Harold MacGrathIf it has humour, deplore its lack of thoughtfulness; if it is grave, carp at its lack of gaiety.
How to Fail in Literature | Andrew LangIt would be idle to carp at any means when the end is so thoroughly good.
Mystic London: | Charles Maurice Davies
British Dictionary definitions for carp (1 of 3)
/ (kɑːp) /
(intr often foll by at) to complain or find fault; nag pettily
Origin of carp
1Derived forms of carp
- carper, noun
British Dictionary definitions for carp (2 of 3)
/ (kɑːp) /
a freshwater teleost food fish, Cyprinus carpio, having a body covered with cycloid scales, a naked head, one long dorsal fin, and two barbels on each side of the mouth: family Cyprinidae
any other fish of the family Cyprinidae; a cyprinid
Origin of carp
2Other words from carp
- Related adjectives: cyprinid, cyprinoid
British Dictionary definitions for -carp (3 of 3)
(in botany) fruit or a reproductive structure that develops into a particular part of the fruit: epicarp
Origin of -carp
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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