Etymology Map
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Complain

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means to express dissatisfaction

Where does the word "complain" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin complangere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
complangere
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to bewail"
'com-' plus 'plangere', to strike the breast in grief, the root of 'plaintive'
2
Stage 2 of 3
complaindre
Old French · medieval
"to lament"
also gives 'plaintiff'
3
Stage 3 of 3
complain
English · 1300s
"to lament"
shifted from grieving to grumbling
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Read the full story

Complain’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: complangere meant “to bewail.” 'com-' plus 'plangere', to strike the breast in grief, the root of 'plaintive'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as complaindre. Also gives 'plaintiff'. It reached English by 1300s as complain. Shifted from grieving to grumbling. Today, complain means to express dissatisfaction.