quarrel

¹ American  

[kwawr-uhl, kwor-] / ˈkwɔr əl, ˈkwɒr- /

noun

1. an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations.

   Synonyms:

   fight, difference, controversy, contention, argument

2. a cause of dispute, complaint, or hostile feeling.

   She has no quarrel with her present salary.

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verb (used without object)

quarreled, quarreling, quarrelled, quarrelling

1. to disagree angrily; squabble; wrangle.

   Synonyms:

   fight, brawl, argue, bicker

2. to end a friendship as a result of a disagreement.

3. to make a complaint; find fault.

quarrel ² American  

[kwawr-uhl, kwor-] / ˈkwɔr əl, ˈkwɒr- /

noun

1. a square-headed bolt or arrow, formerly used with a crossbow.

2. Also a small, square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, as used in latticed windows.

3. any of various tools with pyramidal heads.

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quarrel ¹ British  

/ ˈkwɒrəl /

noun

1. an angry disagreement; argument

2. a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance

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verb

1. to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue

2. to find fault; complain

quarrel ² British  

/ ˈkwɒrəl /

noun

1. an arrow having a four-edged head, fired from a crossbow

2. a small square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, usually one of many in a fixed or casement window and framed with lead

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quarrel Idioms  

1. see pick a quarrel.

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Related Words

Quarrel, dissension refer to disagreement and conflict. Quarrel applies chiefly to a verbal disagreement between individuals or groups and is used with reference to a large variety of situations, from a slight and petty difference of opinion to a violent altercation: It was little more than a domestic quarrel. Their quarrel led to the barroom brawl. Dissension usually implies a profound disagreement and bitter conflict. It also applies chiefly to conflict within a group or to members of the same group: dissension within the union; dissension among the Democrats.

Other Word Forms

• quarreler noun
• quarrelingly adverb
• quarreller noun
• unquarreling adjective
• unquarrelling adjective

Etymology

Origin of quarrel¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English querele, from Old French, from Latin querēla, querella “complaint,” noun derivative of querī “to complain”

Origin of quarrel²

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English quarel, from Old French, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus “square”

Example Sentences

They sound so childish and innocent, and I think that I will even miss their quarreling.

From Literature

On Friday morning, Bernadette Joy, 40, and her husband AJ, 44, engaged in what seemed like a trivial couple’s quarrel: where to go grocery shopping that night.

From MarketWatch

This week he put me in mind of a woman I once knew who was always roiled, always creating commotion and drama—quarrels, sudden attachments, fiery endings.

From The Wall Street Journal

The quarrel here isn’t over the terms of an energy contract or the routing of a pipeline.

From The Wall Street Journal

He and journalist Joy Reid publicly quarreled following her exit last year from MSNBC.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• altercation
• argument
• bickering
• brawl
• controversy
• difference
• difference of opinion
• discord
• dispute
• dissension
• disturbance
• falling-out
• feud
• fracas
• misunderstanding
• row
• ruckus
• run-in
• spat
• squabble