Definition and meaning of English word "complain"
complain
/kəmˈpleɪn/
Meaning
VerbTo express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
How to use
The verb 'complain' is often used in informal contexts to express dissatisfaction or discontent. A common mistake learners make is using 'complain' with the preposition 'about' when the object is a person, whereas 'complain to' is used when the object is a person. For example, 'I complained to the manager about the service.'
🇬🇧 English
complain
Example
She complains about the noise.
He complains about the food.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- complain about— to express dissatisfaction with something
- complain to— to express dissatisfaction to someone
- file a complaint— to submit a formal complaint
More Extended Verbs words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #889 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "complain" mean?▼
The English word "complain" means "complain" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "complain"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "complain" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "complain"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "She complains about the noise." (which translates as "complain").
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