Complain Meaning
/kəmˈpleɪn/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
verbTo state the presence of something negative; to indicate that one is suffering from something; to report (e.g.) a symptom.
Sentence Examples
You've got nothing to complain of.
You should have nothing to complain about.
It's hard to complain against such good people.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Customers often ____ about the slow service at the new restaurant downtown.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Customers began to loudly ____ about the terrible service at the restaurant.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English complaynen, from Old French complaindre, from Medieval Latin complangere (“to bewail, complain”), from Latin com- (“together”) + plangere (“to strike, beat, as the breast in extreme grief, bewail”); see plain, plaint.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"O loſs of ſight, of thee I moſt complain!"
— 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 12, line 67:
"Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the king?"
— c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
"If you get cheated by the Better Business Bureau, who do you complain to?"
— 1997, George Carlin, Brain Droppings, New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 85:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Customers often ____ about the slow service at the new restaurant downtown.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Customers began to loudly ____ about the terrible service at the restaurant.