quarrel

1
[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]
See synonyms for: quarrelquarreledquarrelingquarrelled on Thesaurus.com

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

  2. 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.
  1. to disagree angrily; squabble; wrangle.

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

  1. to make a complaint; find fault.

Origin of quarrel

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English querele, from Old French, from Latin querēla, querella “complaint,” noun 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 for quarrel

Other words from quarrel

  • quar·rel·er, noun
  • quar·rel·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·quar·rel·ing, adjective
  • un·quar·rel·ling, adjective

Words Nearby quarrel

Other definitions for quarrel (2 of 2)

quarrel2
[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]

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

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

  1. any of various tools with pyramidal heads.

Origin of quarrel

2
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English quarel, from Old French, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus “square”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use quarrel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for quarrel (1 of 2)

quarrel1

/ (ˈkwɒrəl) /


noun
  1. an angry disagreement; argument

  2. a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance

verb-rels, -relling or -relled or US -rels, -reling or -reled (intr often foll by with)
  1. to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue

  2. to find fault; complain

Origin of quarrel

1
C14: from Old French querele, from Latin querēlla complaint, from querī to complain

Derived forms of quarrel

  • quarreller or US quarreler, noun

British Dictionary definitions for quarrel (2 of 2)

quarrel2

/ (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

Origin of quarrel

2
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

Other 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.