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Spell Bee Word: Complain


What does complain mean?

Word: Complain

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: Complain means to say that you are unhappy or annoyed about something.

Synonyms: grumble, protest, moan

How do you spell complain?

Syllables: com - plain

Tricky part: The long a sound is spelt ai, as in rain. Children write complane or swap the letters to complian.

Watch out for: complane, complian, complaine

Memory tip: When rain spoils a picnic, people complain: both words keep a and i together, with the a first.

Complain in a sentence

Example 1: Do not complain about the food; Amma cooked it with love.

Example 2: The neighbours complained about the loud music.

Example 3: Rohan never complains, even on long bus rides.

Fun Fact

It goes back to a Latin word meaning to weep and wail aloud, so complaining once meant crying out in sorrow.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Connection

Choose the antonym of the word:

complain

a) praise
b) whine
c) object
d) fuss

Show answer

a) praise. To praise is to say good things, the opposite of complaining.

Spell-o-Spell

Choose the incorrectly spelt word:

a) annoyed
b) cumplain
c) trouble
d) unhappy

Show answer

b) cumplain. Say it slowly: the u sound you hear first is written with an o.

Mingle-Mangle

Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:

lancipom

a) colmpain
b) comlpain
c) copmlain
d) complain

Show answer

d) complain. Find the l and keep it right after the p, the way you hear pl.

Word Cookie

Find the extra letter in the word:

commplain

a) a
b) p
c) m
d) l

Show answer

c) m. The m sits alone between o and p, as it does in compass and computer.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At a restaurant, what would someone say to complain?

a) Thank you for the meal.
b) Well done, chef.
c) My soup is too cold.
d) What a lovely day.

Show answer

c) My soup is too cold.

2. If you complain to the shopkeeper, you

a) thank him for good service
b) tell him something is wrong
c) pay him for what you bought
d) ask him what something costs

Show answer

b) tell him something is wrong

Associated Words

calculatoridentifydisappointmentjoyfulnessslow
irateasparagusfearfulnessalphabetbeach

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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