Word
grievance
Phoneticsgriev·ance, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɹivəns/
UK/ɡɹˈiːvəns/
Definitions
01a formal complaint
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a formal complaint made by a worker to their employer because they feel they have been treated unfairly.
n. a formal complaint filed by an employee or union representative regarding a violation of a contract or unfair treatment.
“The factory worker filed a formal grievance after his request for leave was denied.”
“The union representative advised the staff to file a collective grievance regarding the unsafe working conditions in the warehouse.”
02a cause for complaint
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a real or imagined reason for complaining about something.
n. the grounds or justification for a complaint; a specific instance of perceived injustice.
“The committee met to listen to the students' grievances about the new rules.”
“The manifesto listed several historical grievances that the movement sought to address through legislative reform.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verbs 'file', 'air', or 'redress'.
Pitfall
He has a grievance with the rules.
He has a grievance against the rules.
While you have a 'problem with' something, a formal 'grievance' is typically held 'against' a person, entity, or set of regulations.
Real-World Examples
“Strip away the specific manifestos, grievances and enemies, and what's underneath, in every case, is the same belief system.” “It is because they want to stoke a sense of grievance among white supporters, and to pour scorn on diversity initiatives across the board.” Etymology
From Old French grievance, from the verb grever (“to irritate; to bother; to annoy”) + -ance, equivalent to grieve + -ance.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/grievance