complain

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
  2. verb make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge

Etymology

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

kick, plain, sound off, quetch, kvetch

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