complain

[kuhm-pleyn]

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verb (used without object)

to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault: He complained constantly about the noise in the corridor.

to tell of one's pains, ailments, etc.: to complain of a backache.

to make a formal accusation: If you think you've been swindled, complain to the police.

Origin of complain

1350–1400; Middle English compleinen < Anglo-French compleign-, stem of compleindre, Old French complaindre < Vulgar Latin *complangere, equivalent to Latin com- com- + plangere to lament; see plaint

Related formscom·plain·a·ble, adjectivecom·plain·er, nouncom·plain·ing·ly, adverbun·com·plained, adjectiveun·com·plain·ing, adjectiveun·com·plain·ing·ly, adverb

Synonym study

1. 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.

Antonyms for complain

1. rejoice.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for complainer

troublemaker, nitpicker, grump, crybaby, protester, crab, objector, growler, nagger, faultfinder

Examples from the Web for complainer

Historical Examples of complainer

It is for the complainer's relief, not for God's information.
The Expositor's Bible: The Psalms, Volume III
Alexander Maclaren
Although Achan was the only offender, he was probably far from being the only complainer on that occasion.
The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Joshua
William Garden Blaikie
I see that you think you have effectually disposed of all complaint by challenging the complainer to suggest a remedy.
The Potiphar Papers
George William Curtis
Chamillart searched for the document, found it, and saw that the complainer was right.
The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete
Duc de Saint-Simon
"Together we make sweetest harmony," returned the bell next the complainer.
Allegories of Life
Mrs. J. S. Adams

British Dictionary definitions for complainer

complain

verb (intr)

to express resentment, displeasure, etc, esp habitually; grumble

(foll by of) to state the presence of pain, illness, etc, esp in the hope of sympathyshe complained of a headache

Derived Formscomplainer, nouncomplainingly, adverb

Word Origin for complain

C14: from Old French complaindre, from Vulgar Latin complangere (unattested), from Latin com- (intensive) + plangere to bewail

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for complainer

complain

late 14c., "find fault, lament," from stem of Old French complaindre "to lament" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *complangere, originally "to beat the breast," from Latin com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + plangere "to strike, beat the breast" (see plague (n.)). Older sense of "lament" died out 17c. Related: Complained; complaining.

Idioms and Phrases with complainer

complain

see can't complain.