complaint
kuhm-PLAYNT
Complaint (noun) means a statement expressing dissatisfaction or a problem. Example: “The hotel manager took the complaint seriously and offered a refund.”
noun
1
A statement expressing dissatisfaction or a problem.
"The hotel manager took the complaint seriously and offered a refund."
"She filed a complaint after receiving the wrong order."
"My only complaint about the restaurant is that the music was far too loud."
2
A medical problem or symptom.
"Back pain is a common complaint among office workers."
"Asthma is a common complaint in children, and most outgrow it."
"The nurse asked what the patient's main complaint was."
3
A formal legal document stating the facts and claims that start a lawsuit.
"The complaint set out what the company was accused of doing."
"After the complaint was served, the defendant had a month to respond."
"The lawyer filed the complaint with the county court."
How to use complaint
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal or informal statement of dissatisfaction, or a medical symptom.
Common pairings
file a complaint
lodge a complaint
common complaint
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Word forms
- Plural
- complaints
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The hotel manager took the _____ seriously and offered a refund.
Etymology
From Old French compleindre, ultimately from Latin planctus, "a lamenting" — related to "plaint" and "complain."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for complaint
See all rhymes for complaint →Frequently asked questions
What does “complaint” mean?
The word “complaint” means a statement expressing dissatisfaction or a problem. In plain terms, a formal or informal statement of dissatisfaction, or a medical symptom.
How do you pronounce “complaint”?
“Complaint” is pronounced kuhm-PLAYNT (/kəmˈpleɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “complaint” in a sentence?
Here is “complaint” used in a sentence: “The hotel manager took the complaint seriously and offered a refund.”
What is another word for “complaint”?
Words with a similar meaning to “complaint” include complaint of an offence, offense, criminal information, inform the police, authorities and notification of the police.
What part of speech is “complaint”?
“Complaint” is a noun.
Where does the word “complaint” come from?
The word “complaint” comes from Latin. From Old French compleindre, ultimately from Latin planctus, "a lamenting" — related to "plaint" and "complain.".
Is “complaint” a common word?
“Complaint” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “complaint” have?
“Complaint” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a statement expressing dissatisfaction or a problem.
What is the difference between "complaint" and "grievance"?
A "complaint" is any expression of dissatisfaction, from minor to serious, and can be casual or formal. A "grievance" is usually a formal, serious complaint about being treated unfairly, often raised officially within a workplace or organization.
What is the difference between "complaint" and "criticism"?
A "complaint" expresses that you are unhappy or that something is wrong and often expects a remedy. "Criticism" evaluates something's strengths and weaknesses and may be constructive, without necessarily expressing personal dissatisfaction.
Do you "make a complaint" or "file a complaint"?
Both are correct. "Make a complaint" is more general and common in everyday speech, while "file a complaint" or "lodge a complaint" suggests a formal, official process, such as submitting one in writing to an authority.
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