complaint
gb/kəmplˈeɪnt/ us/kəmplˈeɪnt/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
statement of dissatisfaction
Words you say or write to show you are unhappy about something or that something is wrong.
Usage pattern:
to make/lodge/file [a complaint]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'complaint' with 'complement'. 'Complaint' is about dissatisfaction; 'complement' means something that completes or goes well with something else.
Synonyms
grievance (More formal and often used in workplace or legal contexts.)
|
protest (Implies stronger disagreement or opposition, sometimes public.)
Antonyms
compliment (An expression of praise or admiration, the opposite of expressing dissatisfaction.)
Collocations
make a complaint
|file a complaint
|lodge a complaint
|handle complaints
|customer complaint
Themes
daily life
|business
|emotions
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She made a formal complaint about the noise from her neighbors.
- The company received several complaints about poor service.
- If you have a complaint, please speak to the manager.
- They filed a complaint with the local council.
- He ignored my complaints and carried on.
Learner examples
- I wrote a complaint to the hotel.
- The shop got many complaints from customers.
- She made a complaint about the food.
- We sent a complaint to the company.
Noun
B2
entity
2
reported medical problem
A health problem or symptom you tell a doctor about.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'complaint' in this sense with everyday dissatisfaction; here it refers to a medical issue, not criticism.
Synonyms
ailment (Often used for mild but persistent health problems.)
|
condition (A neutral term for any medical state, not necessarily mild.)
Antonyms
wellness (The state of being in good health.)
Collocations
common complaint
|minor complaint
|chest complaint
|stomach complaint
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
Examples
- The most common complaint among office workers is back pain.
- She went to the clinic with a stomach complaint.
- His main complaint was difficulty breathing.
- The doctor listened carefully to all of her complaints.
Learner examples
- I went to the doctor with a chest complaint.
- Back pain is a common complaint for drivers.
- He told the nurse about his headache complaint.
Grammar
Dictionary form
complaint
IPA
GB/kəmplˈeɪnt/
US/kəmplˈeɪnt/
Syllables & stress
com - plaint (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (plaint)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: complaint
- Plural: complaints
Word family
Forms
complaints
noun
Core family
complain
verb A2
Related words
complainer
noun
complaining
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
uncomplaining
adjective
Advanced or less common
complainant
noun
Expressions
file a complaint
1/fˈaɪl ə kəmplˈeɪnt/
fixed phrase
formal
submit official dissatisfaction statement
To send an official paper to an authority saying you are unhappy or accusing someone of doing wrong.
Examples
- She filed a complaint against her landlord for unsafe living conditions.
- The employee filed a complaint about workplace harassment.
have no complaint
1/hˈæv nˈoʊ kəmplˈeɪnt/
fixed phrase
no problems to report
To be satisfied and have nothing bad to say about something.
Examples
- I have no complaint about the service we received.
- He said he had no complaints and was happy with the arrangement.
make a complaint
1/mˈeɪk ə kəmplˈeɪnt/
fixed phrase
formally express dissatisfaction
To say or write that you are unhappy about something, especially to an authority or company.
Examples
- You can make a complaint by filling out this form.
- He made a complaint to the airline about the delay.