complaint
HighNeutral to Formal (depends on context). Informal equivalents like 'moan' or 'gripe' exist.
Definition
Meaning
A statement that you are unhappy or dissatisfied about something, often with the aim of achieving a solution.
1) A formal charge or allegation made to an authority. 2) An illness or medical condition (formal/medical register). 3) The act of complaining or the expression of discontent.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can refer to both the act ('making a complaint') and the formal statement itself ('lodging a complaint'). The medical sense is highly specific and formal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, a complaint can be made 'to the council' or 'about noise'. In American English, it's often filed 'with a manager' or 'against a company'. The medical sense ('a gastric complaint') is more frequent in BrE.
Connotations
Generally neutral/negative as it expresses dissatisfaction. In legal/medical contexts, it's purely factual.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in formal/corporate contexts. The medical sense is archaic in AmE, where 'condition', 'ailment', or 'symptom' is preferred.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
complaint about sth/sbcomplaint to sb (an authority)complaint against sb/sthcomplaint that + clausecomplaint of + noun (e.g., pain, harassment)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Have no] cause for complaint”
- “A litany of complaints”
- “Register a complaint”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A formal statement from a customer about a faulty product or poor service, often handled by a complaints department.
Academic
Used in legal studies ('filed a complaint with the court'), sociology ('social complaints'), or medical literature ('presenting complaint').
Everyday
Expressing minor dissatisfaction, e.g., 'My main complaint is the weather.'
Technical
In law: the first pleading by a plaintiff. In medicine: the patient's reported symptom.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I wish you'd stop complaining about the train delays.
- The residents are complaining to the council about the new development.
American English
- She complained to HR about the office temperature.
- He's always complaining that his coffee is cold.
adverb
British English
- He sighed complainingly as he looked at the long queue.
- She spoke complainingly of the lack of support.
American English
- The child stared complainingly at the broccoli.
- He reacted complainingly to every new policy.
adjective
British English
- She gave him a complaining look when he arrived late.
- The complaining tone of the letter was unhelpful.
American English
- He had a complaining attitude that annoyed his colleagues.
- Her complaining emails were forwarded to management.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a complaint. My soup is cold.
- She made a complaint about the noisy neighbours.
- The shop manager listened to my complaint and offered a refund.
- His main complaint was the slow internet speed.
- After lodging a formal complaint with the ombudsman, the issue was investigated.
- The patient's presenting complaint was a persistent cough and shortness of breath.
- The litany of complaints filed against the company precipitated a regulatory inquiry.
- The plaintiff's complaint alleged negligence and sought substantial damages.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of COMPLAINT as containing PLAINT, which sounds like 'plaintive' (sad, mournful) – a sad expression of something wrong.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLAINT IS A FORMAL DOCUMENT/WEAPON (lodge, file, weaponize); COMPLAINT IS A BURDEN (voice, air, heap of complaints).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'жалоба' (direct equivalent) and 'претензия' (claim, demand). 'Complaint' is not 'комплимент' (compliment). The medical sense ('желудочное расстройство') is a false friend for modern AmE speakers.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'complaint for' (use 'about' or 'against'). Spelling error: 'complaint' vs. 'complain' (verb). Countability: 'He made a complaint' (correct) vs. 'He made complaint' (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'complaint' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily countable (e.g., 'several complaints'). The uncountable form refers to the act or process ('a letter full of complaint').
A grievance is typically a more serious, often work-related complaint based on a perceived injustice or violation of rights. A complaint can be minor or major.
Rarely. Its core meaning is negative/dissatisfied. Phrases like 'I have no complaint' are positive only by negation.
The most common are ABOUT (the subject) and TO (the authority). In legal/medical contexts, OF is used (e.g., 'complaint of pain').
Collections
Part of a collection
Workplace Vocabulary
B1 · 48 words · Professional language for the working environment.