easy
The customer complained about the broken toy.
What does Complain mean?
Talk about something bothering you.
Dictionary definition
To say you are unhappy about something.
Example sentences
Complain in a sentence
medium
It is okay to complain politely when something is wrong.
hard
A complaint is more helpful when it explains the problem clearly.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice complain in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Complain
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does complain mean?
Complain means to say you are unhappy about something.
Practice 2
Which word or phrase is closest in meaning to complain?
Protest is close in meaning to complain in this context.
Practice 3
Which word or phrase is a good contrast to complain?
Praise gives a useful opposite or contrast to complain.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Complain
Voice settings
Sounds like
kum · playn · strongest beat: playn
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordComplain.
Partverb.
MeaningComplain means Talk about something bothering you.
ExampleExample: The customer complained about the broken toy.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- kum · playn
- Strongest beat
- playn
- Ending
- playn
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on playn.
Your turn
Say Complain
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Synonyms
Words like Complain
objectA similar word or phrase for complain in this meaning.
protestA similar word or phrase for complain in this meaning.
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice complain synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Please do not complain about the small delay," then compare close word choices. Practice complain synonyms.
Word family
Complain word family
Base word
complain
verb
complain
Base form.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Complain
Hint for students
Complain means to say that something is wrong, unfair, or annoying.
Common mix-up
Complain is not the same as explain. Complain shows unhappiness about a problem; explain makes something clear.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows complain without using the word complain. Model sentence: He kept saying the soup was too cold and the bowl was too small. Clue words: kept saying, too cold, too small Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show someone expressing unhappiness about a problem?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: 'Please do not complain about the rain; we still need to walk home.' Why does complain fit better than celebrate?
Learning activities
Practice Complain and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice COMPLAIN” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
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Sentence Builder
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Synonym Search
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