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

Some bettors have complained about customer service and payout issues being unresolved due to difficulties reaching a live person. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Colorado officials report that more than 100 people across Boulder County have also complained to the Federal Communications Commission. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Critics complained that the food was too expensive for the experience and the location was too loud. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Her boyfriend Tom Arnold becomes a writer/producer and complains that someone there stole his love letters and sold out his steamy relationship with Roseanne to the National Enquirer. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 Oct. 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