Dictionary monolingual
English
Complain
kəmˈpleɪn
Very common
~ 2100
~ 2100
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Complain -
To express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something
Example: She complained about the noise coming from the construction site.
Usage: formal/informalContext: everyday situations, customer service interactions
Note: Commonly used to convey displeasure or unhappiness
To state that something is wrong or not satisfactory
Example: He complained to the manager about the poor service at the restaurant.
Usage: formalContext: formal complaints, official reports
Note: Often used in official or serious contexts to address issues
To express pain, discomfort, or illness
Example: The patient complained of a headache and nausea.
Usage: formalContext: medical settings, healthcare
Note: Commonly used in medical contexts to describe symptoms
Complain's synonyms
whine
To whine is to complain in a feeble or petulant way, often in a high-pitched voice.
Example: Stop whining about the weather and just enjoy the day.
Note: Whining often conveys a sense of annoyance or discontent in a more childish or irritating manner compared to a general complaint.
grumble
To grumble is to complain in a low, rumbling manner, usually expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance.
Example: She grumbled about the long wait at the doctor's office.
Note: Grumbling tends to be more subdued and less overtly confrontational than a direct complaint.
murmur
To murmur is to complain or speak softly and indistinctly, often expressing discontent.
Example: The students murmured about the difficult test.
Note: Murmuring implies a quiet or subdued expression of dissatisfaction, often in a secretive or hushed manner.
gripe
To gripe is to complain persistently or whine about something, usually minor or trivial.
Example: He always finds something to gripe about at work.
Note: Griping often involves repeated complaints about the same issue, and it may come across as more nagging or petty than a general complaint.
Complain expressions, common phrases
Grumble about
To complain about something in a low, continuous way.
Example: She always grumbles about the weather, no matter what season it is.
Note: It implies a more continuous and ongoing dissatisfaction compared to a simple complaint.
Whine about
To complain in a feeble or petulant way.
Example: Stop whining about your workload and just get it done.
Note: It often conveys a sense of childishness or annoyance at someone's persistent complaining.
Bellyache about
To complain or protest about something, especially in a persistent or annoying way.
Example: He's always bellyaching about his job, but he never does anything to change it.
Note: It emphasizes a more vocal and persistent form of complaining.
Vent one's spleen
To express one's anger or frustration by complaining or criticizing loudly.
Example: After a long day at work, she needed to vent her spleen about her unreasonable boss.
Note: It suggests a more intense and emotional release of complaints, often involving anger or frustration.
Grouse about
To complain or grumble about something, usually in a persistent or nagging manner.
Example: The employees were grouse about the new policy changes in the company.
Note: It conveys a sense of dissatisfaction or annoyance, often in a repetitive or habitual manner.
Lament over
To express sorrow, regret, or disappointment about something while complaining about it.
Example: She lamented over the loss of her favorite book that she had lent to a friend.
Note: It combines a sense of mourning or sorrow with the act of complaining, often in a more emotional context.
Nitpick about
To criticize, complain, or find fault with minor details or trivial matters.
Example: He always nitpicks about the smallest details in our project instead of seeing the bigger picture.
Note: It focuses on overly critical or petty complaints about insignificant details rather than major issues.
Complain everyday (slang) expressions
Moan
To moan is to complain in a prolonged or low-pitched manner, often expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance.
Example: She always moans about her workload, but never does anything about it.
Note: Moaning typically conveys a sense of constant complaining or whining.
Bemoan
To bemoan is to express sorrow, distress, or lamentation over something, often in a complaining manner.
Example: He bemoaned the fact that he had to work late again.
Note: Bemoaning carries a tone of sorrow or regret, in addition to expressing complaints.
Whinge
To whinge is to complain in a fretful or irritating manner, often seen as excessive or unjustified.
Example: Stop whingeing about the traffic and find a solution to avoid it.
Note: Whingeing implies a certain level of annoyance or petulance in the complaining tone.
Kvetch
To kvetch is to complain habitually or chronically, often in a nagging or critical manner.
Example: She kvetched about her noisy neighbors keeping her up all night.
Note: Kvetching suggests a continuous and chronic pattern of complaining.
Nag
To nag is to constantly or repeatedly complain or scold someone about something.
Example: He always nags about the dishes not being done, even though he could do them himself.
Note: Nagging often implies a sense of repetitive criticism or constant reminders.
Carp
To carp is to complain or find fault continually, often in a petty or nagging way.
Example: She tends to carp about the way things are done instead of offering constructive solutions.
Note: Carping involves finding fault in a nitpicky or overly critical manner.
Complain - Examples
I don't want to complain, but the service here is really slow.
She complained to the manager about the rude behavior of the staff.
He always finds something to complain about, even when everything is going well.
Complain grammar
Complain - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: complain
Conjugations
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): complained
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): complaining
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): complains
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): complain
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): complain
Syllables, Separation and Stress
complain Contains 2 syllables: com • plain
Phonetic transcription: kəm-ˈplān
com plain , kəm ˈplān (The red syllable is stressed)
Complain - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
complain: ~ 2100 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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