complain
- 01 A2 Elementary
to say that you are not happy with a situation or that something is wrong.
to express feelings of resentment, pain, or dissatisfaction regarding a situation or person.
Simple“The neighbors complained about the loud music coming from our apartment last night.”
In context“Several passengers complained about the lack of communication from the airline during the four-hour delay at the terminal.”
UsageOften followed by the prepositions 'about' or 'that'.
PitfallShe complained for the cold weather. She complained about the cold weather.Use 'about' or 'of' to describe the subject of a complaint, not 'for'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
to tell a doctor or someone else that you feel pain or are sick.
to report a physical ailment or symptom of illness.
Simple“He went to the doctor because he was complaining of chest pains.”
In context“The patient complained of persistent migraines and blurred vision, prompting the neurologist to order a series of diagnostic scans.”
UsageCommonly used with 'of' followed by the specific symptom.
Synonymssuffer fromreport - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to make a formal statement to the police or an official about a crime or bad behavior.
to lodge a formal accusation or legal charge against a party.
Simple“The company decided to complain to the regulator about the unfair competition.”
In context“The victim chose to complain to the authorities after discovering that the contractor had systematically overcharged for the repairs.”
UsageOften used in legal or administrative contexts.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
to make a high noise because of heavy weight or pressure, like an old floor or a ship.
to emit a characteristic creaking or groaning sound when subjected to physical stress or pressure.
Simple“The old wooden stairs complained as I walked up them in the middle of the night.”
In context“The ship's timbers complained loudly as the vessel pitched against the violent waves of the North Atlantic.”
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.