complain
complain
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "complain" is /kəmˈpleɪn/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
kəm:
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/ə/: Schwa (mid-central vowel)
/m/: Bilabial nasal
ˈpleɪn:
/p/: Voiceless bilabial stop
/l/: Alveolar lateral approximant
/eɪ/: Diphthong (as in "face")
/n/: Alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Complain" is primarily a verb. It has related forms that function as other parts of speech.
Verb Forms:
Base Form: complain (e.g., "They often complain about the noise.")
Third-person singular present: complains (e.g., "He always complains about the food.")
Present participle: complaining (e.g., "She is complaining about the service.")
Past tense: complained (e.g., "They complained loudly yesterday.")
Past participle: complained (e.g., "The issue has been complained about many times.")
Related Forms:
Noun: complaint (e.g., "She filed a formal complaint.")
Adjective: complaining (e.g., "He has a complaining tone.")
Noun (person): complainer (e.g., "He's a chronic complainer.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb Definitions
To express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.
Synonyms: Grumble, grouse, whine, protest, lament, moan, carp, gripe (informal)
Antonyms: Appreciate, praise, commend, compliment, approve, rejoice
To state that one is suffering from a pain, illness, or other physical discomfort.
Synonyms: Ail, suffer from, express discomfort, report pain
Antonyms: Recover, heal, be well, feel fine
Examples of Use
Books
"I have been so long complaining of the weather, that I am quite tired of it myself." (Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 1811)
"She tried not to complain about the long hours, knowing everyone was working hard." (Common in contemporary fiction focusing on work or perseverance)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"Consumers continue to complain about rising food prices and stagnant wages." (The Standard)
"Many users complain that the new software update is buggy and slow." (TechCrunch)
"Doctors report that more patients complain of stress-related headaches during exam periods." (The Lancet)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In Groundhog Day (1993), Phil Connors frequently complains about his predicament, being stuck in a time loop.
Television: "Don't complain about the problem if you're not willing to be part of the solution." (A common line heard in motivational or leadership-focused TV shows)
Music: Numerous blues and folk songs feature lyrics where the singer complains about life's hardships or a lost love.
Video Games: Players often complain on forums or social media about bugs, balance issues, or features they dislike in games.
General Public Discourse
"He always complains about the traffic, but he never tries public transport." (Everyday conversation about grievances)
"If you have a problem, don't just complain; offer a suggestion." (Advice given in professional or personal contexts)
"My back started to complain after I lifted that heavy box." (Referring to physical discomfort)
"Are you going to complain to the manager about the cold food?" (Asking about a planned action to address dissatisfaction)
10 Quotes Using Complain
"Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do." (Benjamin Franklin)
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." (William Arthur Ward)
"Never complain and never explain." (Benjamin Disraeli)
"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." (Lily Tomlin)
"When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation, change the situation, or accept it. All else is madness." (Eckhart Tolle)
"If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it." (Anthony J. D'Angelo)
"Don't complain about the snow on your neighbor's roof when your own doorstep is unclean." (Confucius)
"It is no use to grumble and complain; It's just as cheap and easy to rejoice; When God sorts out the weather and sends rain - Why, rain's my choice." (James Whitcomb Riley)
"Maturity is when you stop complaining and making excuses in your life; you realize everything that happens in life is a result of the previous choice you've made and start making new choices to change your life." (Roy Benn1ett)
"Complaining not only ruins everybody else's day, it ruins the complainer's day, too." (Dennis Prager)
Etymology
The word "complain" comes from the Old French word "complaindre," which meant "to lament, bewail, or express sorrow." This, in turn, originated from the Late Latin "complangere," meaning "to beat the breast" (as a sign of grief) or "to lament loudly." This Latin term is formed from "com-" (an intensifier, meaning "thoroughly") and "plangere" (meaning "to strike" or "to beat").
So, at its root, "complain" is about expressing strong distress or lamentation, much like beating one's chest in sorrow.
The first known use of "complain" in English, appearing around the late 13th century, referred to uttering sounds or words that express pain, grief, or dissatisfaction. This original meaning, emphasizing distress or grievance, is still very much present in how we use the word today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Complain
Complain bitterly: To express intense dissatisfaction.
Example: "He continued to complain bitterly about the unfair treatment."
Complain to the manager: To formally express dissatisfaction to a person in authority.
Example: "If you're not happy, you should complain to the manager."
Complain of an ailment: To report suffering from a physical condition or illness.
Example: "The patient began to complain of an ailment after eating the seafood."
Complain about everything: To be habitually negative and find fault with many things.
Example: "It's hard to be around someone who seems to complain about everything."
Have no complaints: To be fully satisfied; to have nothing to express dissatisfaction about.
Example: "The food was excellent; I have no complaints."
Grumble and groan: (Using synonyms, meaning to complain in a low, disgruntled way).
Example: "They spent the whole journey grumbling and groaning about the weather."
Whine and wail: (Using synonyms, meaning to complain in a high-pitched, often childish, way).
Example: "The child would whine and wail when he didn't get his way."
Voice one's displeasure: (Meaning to express unhappiness, a more formal way to complain).
Example: "Employees decided to voice their displeasure with the new policy."
Gripe session: (An informal term for a meeting or discussion where people complain).
Example: "We had a long gripe session after work to vent our frustrations."
Find fault with: (To criticize or object to something, similar to complaining).
Example: "She tends to find fault with every suggestion I make."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of complain from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
