complain — to say that something is wrong or not satisfactory
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to say that something is wrong or not satisfactory
Pronunciation (IPA): /kəmˈpleɪn/
Example Sentences
- My neighbor complains about everything - even the birds singing too loudly!
- Students often complain about homework, but teachers complain about grading it.
- I want to complain to the manager about the poor service.
complain
VERB[/kəmˈpleɪn/]
to say that something is wrong or not satisfactory
He keeps complaining loudly that his soup arrived completely cold again tonight.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin complainere, composed of com- (together) and plangere (to strike or beat the breast). Originally, it denoted the act of striking one's chest while expressing sorrow, a gesture used in ancient times to demonstrate grief and lamentation.
Breakdown
com- (together) + plangere (to strike, beat the breast) = complainere. The prefix com- intensifies the action, while plangere refers to the physical gesture of striking one's chest as an expression of distress.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My neighbor complains about everything - even the birds singing too loudly!”
“Students often complain about homework, but teachers complain about grading it.”
“I want to complain to the manager about the poor service.”
“He complained of a headache and went home early.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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