| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | complaindre, from Vulgar Latin complangere, from Latin com- ( COM-) + plangere ( PLAINT) |
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com‧plain S2 W3

1 [intransitive,transitive not in passive] to say that you are annoyed, not satisfied, or unhappy about something or someone [↪ complaint]:
Residents are complaining because traffic in the area has increased.
'You never ask my opinion about anything,' Rod complained.
Residents are complaining because traffic in the area has increased.
'You never ask my opinion about anything,' Rod complained.2 used to say that a situation is satisfactory, even though there may be a few problems :
I make a good living. I can't complain.
(I/you/he etc) can't complain
spoken
I make a good living. I can't complain.complain of something
phrasal verbMI to say that you feel ill or have a pain in a part of your body :
Dan's been complaining of severe headaches.
Dan's been complaining of severe headaches.