# complaint

/kəmˈpɫeɪnt/ (US) · /kəmplˈeɪnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/complaint
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. expression of dissatisfaction

noun · CEFR B1

a statement that you are unhappy or not satisfied with a situation or service.

For teachers: the act of expressing dissatisfaction or the statement itself regarding a perceived grievance.

- The customer made a formal complaint because the waiter was very rude.
- The department received a formal complaint regarding the lack of transparency in the recent promotion process.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'make', 'file', or 'lodge'.

### 2. legal accusation

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a formal legal document that starts a case or accuses someone of a crime.

For teachers: a formal legal document that sets out the facts and legal reasons for a lawsuit or a criminal charge.

- The lawyer filed a complaint against the company for breaking the contract.
- The plaintiff's attorney drafted a civil complaint alleging breach of fiduciary duty and seeking compensatory damages.

Usage: In legal contexts, this is a countable noun referring to a specific document.

### 3. medical illness

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

an illness or a medical problem, usually one that is not very serious.

For teachers: a physical ailment or medical disorder, often used when describing symptoms to a doctor.

- He went to the doctor because of a persistent stomach complaint.
- The patient presented with a minor respiratory complaint that had persisted for several weeks despite over-the-counter treatment.

Teaching tip: This is a more formal way to say 'illness' or 'problem' in a medical context.

## Examples

- The customer made a formal complaint about the cold food.
- The manager promised to investigate the complaint and offer a full refund for the damaged goods.
- The legal team filed a formal complaint in the district court, alleging that the company had violated several safety regulations over the past decade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.