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

Young Allen visits his aunt to complain about his father remarrying after his mother’s death. — Anna Mebel, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2026

Blake Snell left Wednesday’s game early with groin issues and Tyler Glasnow recently complained of general discomfort. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

The recall was issued September 15 after consumers complained of stones and other hard objects within the dessert’s cashew clusters. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026

Drop in business Some merchants along South Main Street have complained about the project for months. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 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