How to pronounce complain
Say it like kum-PLAYN. Complain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce complain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- PLAYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Complain pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PLAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of complain
American and British speakers say complain in essentially the same way: /kəmˈpleɪn/ in the US and /kəmˈpleɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: kum-PLAYN.
What does complain mean?
- express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness“My mother complains all day”“She has a lot to kick about”
- make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge“The plaintiff's lawyer complained that he defendant had physically abused his client”
Where does complain come from?
From Middle English complaynen, from Old French complaindre, from Medieval Latin complangere (“to bewail, complain”), from Latin com- (“together”) + plangere (“to strike, beat, as the breast in extreme grief, bewail”); see plain, plaint.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with complain
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of complain.
Questions about saying complain
How do you pronounce complain?
Say kum-PLAYN. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈpleɪn/. In British English it is /kəmˈpleɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in complain?
Complain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLAYN). Broken into parts: kum · PLAYN.
Do Americans and Brits say complain the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəmˈpleɪn/ and the British form is /kəmˈpleɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.