Question 1 · Quick check
complain
CEFRB1
/kəmˈpleɪn/
verb
Türkçe translations
Translating…
In plain English
- 01
verb
To say that something is wrong or unsatisfactory.
- 02
verb
Extra detailTo make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge.
Examples
It's hard to complain against such good people.
You should have nothing to complain about.
At a glance
Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale
- Senses
- 5
- Parts of speech
- 1
- Citations
- 3
- Synonyms
- 5
Deep Dive
verb
Extra meaningsTo state the presence of something negative; to indicate that one is suffering from something; to report (e.g.) a symptom.
To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
To creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.
More examples
In contextYou've got nothing to complain of.
Joe was always complaining about the noise made by his neighbours.
The patient complained of headache, nausea, and joint pain.
Related
Quick test
Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.
Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.
Nearby
Origin
verb
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.