quarrel

¹

[kwawr-uhl, kwor-]

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.

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

[kwawr-uhl, kwor-]

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.

quarrel

¹

/ ˈkwɒrəl /

noun

1. an angry disagreement; argument

2. a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance

verb

1. to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue

2. to find fault; complain

quarrel

²

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of quarrel¹

C14: from Old French querele, from Latin querēlla complaint, from querī to complain

Origin of quarrel²

C13: from Old French quarrel pane, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square

Idioms and Phrases

see pick a quarrel.

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Mr. Zipperstein suggests that the real drama was not in the bedroom but at the writing desk, where Roth’s quarrels with himself became art.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Khan was in Year Nine when he stabbed Harvey, who was his former friend, in the school courtyard after the two teenagers had quarrelled over social media in the days beforehand.

Read more on BBC

The Colombian leader’s quarrel isn’t with Americans, Petro said on X on Sunday, drawing a line between Americans and their leader.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Prosecutors say Ferguson and his wife were in their family room watching “Breaking Bad” when they began to quarrel.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

During the trial, jurors heard Harvey had been attacked in the school's courtyard after the two teenagers had quarrelled over social media in the days beforehand.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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