complain

verb

com·​plain kəm-ˈplān 

complained; complaining; complains

intransitive verb

1

: to express grief, pain, or discontent

complaining about the weather

2

: to make a formal accusation or charge

He threatened to complain of him to the captain.

complainer noun

complainingly

kəm-ˈplā-niŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of complain

• scream
• whine
• moan
• grumble
• mutter
• worry

Examples of complain in a Sentence

He works hard but he never complains.

If you're unhappy with the service, you should complain to the manager.

The students complained that the test was too hard.

“These shoes are too tight,” he complained.

Recent Examples on the Web

In short order, users started complaining about multiple system reboots rather than the one expected with a security update. — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Researchers found nearly everyone admits to at least one bad beach habit, even as many complain about other people’s behavior. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026

Nights in a restaurant are often spent describing flavors, in sensory attention—at least when they aren’t filled with flirting with your coworkers or complaining about guests. — Kyle Lucia Wu, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Reese could put the controversy to rest by speaking with Brondello, accepting the apology and acknowledging that the coach used a common expression from her home country while complaining about officiating. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English compleynen, from Anglo-French compleindre, from Vulgar Latin *complangere, from Latin com- + plangere to lament — more at plaint

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing complain

• can't complain

Rhymes for complain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

complain

verb

com·​plain kəm-ˈplān 

1

: to express grief, pain, or discontent : find fault

complaining about the weather

2

: to accuse someone of wrongdoing

complainer noun

complainingly

-ˈplā-niŋ-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

complain

intransitive verb

com·​plain kəm-ˈplān 

: to speak of one's illness or symptoms

the patient visited the office complaining of weight loss

Legal Definition

complain

intransitive verb

com·​plain

: to make a complaint