Word
complain
Phoneticscom·plain, stress on the second syllable
US/kəmˈpɫeɪn/
UK/kəmplˈeɪn/
Definitions
01to express dissatisfaction
A2 · Elementary
v. to say that you are not happy with a situation or that something is wrong.
v. to express feelings of resentment, pain, or dissatisfaction regarding a situation or person.
日本語:こぼす※
“The neighbors complained about the loud music coming from our apartment last night.”
“Several passengers complained about the lack of communication from the airline during the four-hour delay at the terminal.”
Usage
Often followed by the prepositions 'about' or 'that'.
Pitfall
She complained for the cold weather.
She complained about the cold weather.
Use 'about' or 'of' to describe the subject of a complaint, not 'for'.
02to report a medical symptom
B1 · Intermediate Medicine
v. to tell a doctor or someone else that you feel pain or are sick.
v. to report a physical ailment or symptom of illness.
日本語:訴える※
“He went to the doctor because he was complaining of chest pains.”
“The patient complained of persistent migraines and blurred vision, prompting the neurologist to order a series of diagnostic scans.”
Usage
Commonly used with 'of' followed by the specific symptom.
Synonyms
03to make a formal charge
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law Formal
v. to make a formal statement to the police or an official about a crime or bad behavior.
v. to lodge a formal accusation or legal charge against a party.
日本語:訴える※
“The company decided to complain to the regulator about the unfair competition.”
“The victim chose to complain to the authorities after discovering that the contractor had systematically overcharged for the repairs.”
Usage
Often used in legal or administrative contexts.
04to creak under pressure
C2 · Proficiency Literary
v. to make a high noise because of heavy weight or pressure, like an old floor or a ship.
v. to emit a characteristic creaking or groaning sound when subjected to physical stress or pressure.
“The old wooden stairs complained as I walked up them in the middle of the night.”
“The ship's timbers complained loudly as the vessel pitched against the violent waves of the North Atlantic.”
Real-World Examples
“On Reddit and X, customer service workers are complaining about customers who take ChatGPT’s word as gospel.” “When you complain, include all relevant information such as booking references, your address, screenshots of relevant bills or letters to save to-ing and fro-ing.” “Complaining about healthcare can feel like an act of betrayal.” “LONDON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party wrote to the head of the BBC on Thursday to complain about its coverage of campaigning for next week's election, accusing the publicly funded broadcaster of bias.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/complain
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0