complain

1 of 2

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

complainer

2 of 2

noun

com·​plain·​er

kəm-ˈplā-nər

plural -s

: one that complains

a chronic complainer

specifically, Scottish : complainant sense 1

Synonyms of complain

Verb

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

Examples of complain in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Videos on social media published last week showed empty markets in Tehran and Karaj, with sellers complaining that their fresh produce is not being bought. — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Others complained about the traffic jams and parking restrictions in the runup to the event. — Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026

But Honda still has work to do, according to Alonso’s teammate Lance Stroll, who complained about poor drivability and a gearbox that would sometimes reject instructions to downshift. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

The same folks who are complaining about the current mess in college athletics are the same ones who are inviting the chaos through their front door. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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