quarrel

1
[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]
/ ˈkwɔr əl, ˈkwɒr- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR quarrel ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations.
a cause of dispute, complaint, or hostile feeling: She has no quarrel with her present salary.

verb (used without object), quar·reled, quar·rel·ing or (especially British) quar·relled, quar·rel·ling.

to disagree angrily; squabble; wrangle.
to end a friendship as a result of a disagreement.
to make a complaint; find fault.

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!
Question 1 of 7
What does “vacillate” mean?
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
to cause to be empty or unoccupied.
to assent tacitly; agree; consent.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of quarrel

1
1300–50; Middle English querele<Old French <Latin querēla, querella a complaint, derivative of querī to complain

synonym study for quarrel

1. 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 WORDS FROM quarrel

quar·rel·er, nounquar·rel·ing·ly, adverbun·quar·rel·ing, adjectiveun·quar·rel·ling, adjective

Words nearby quarrel

quarkonium, quarks, quark star, Quarles, Quarnero, quarrel, quarrelsome, quarrian, quarrier, quarry, quarry-faced

Definition for quarrel (2 of 2)

quarrel2
[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]
/ ˈkwɔr əl, ˈkwɒr- /

noun

a square-headed bolt or arrow, formerly used with a crossbow.
Also quarry. a small, square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, as used in latticed windows.
any of various tools with pyramidal heads.

Origin of quarrel

2
1175–1225; Middle English quarel<Old French <Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to quarrel

run-in, discord, tiff, ruckus, argument, wrangle, strife, row, disturbance, altercation, falling-out, spat, dispute, squabble, brawl, misunderstanding, dissension, struggle, fracas, difference

Example sentences from the Web for quarrel

British Dictionary definitions for quarrel (1 of 2)

quarrel1
/ (ˈkwɒrəl) /

noun

an angry disagreement; argument
a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance

verb -rels, -relling or -relled or US -rels, -reling or -reled (intr often foll by with)

to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue
to find fault; complain

Derived forms of quarrel

quarreller or US quarreler, noun

Word Origin for quarrel

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

British Dictionary definitions for quarrel (2 of 2)

quarrel2
/ (ˈkwɒrəl) /

noun

an arrow having a four-edged head, fired from a crossbow
a small square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, usually one of many in a fixed or casement window and framed with lead

Word Origin for quarrel

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

Idioms and Phrases with quarrel

quarrel

see pick a quarrel.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.