Gripe
/ɡraɪp/
nounverbB1
Definition
A gripe is when a person talks about something that bothers them or makes them unhappy. It can be a small problem or complaint about everyday things. When you gripe, you tell others about what you don’t like or what is wrong.
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See It in Action
Noun: A complaint or problem someone talks about often
- •She has a gripe about the noisy neighbors.
- •His main gripe is that the internet is too slow.
- •One common gripe from customers is the long waiting time.
Verb: To complain or express dissatisfaction
- •He always gripes about his job.
- •Don’t gripe about the weather; it’s not going to change.
- •She griped to her friends about the bad service.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "gripe" like "complain," but often about small or repeated problems that bother you a little
- ✓Picture someone quietly telling their friend about a small problem, like the coffee being too cold or the bus being late
- ✓It's the feeling when something annoys you and you want to say it out loud to feel better
- ✓Sounds like "grip" → imagine someone holding tightly onto a small problem and not letting go, so they keep talking about it
- ✓Think of a character in a movie who always finds something to complain about, like a grumpy neighbor
- ✓NOT like "shout" (loud and angry), "gripe" is often quieter and more about small, ongoing complaints
- ✓NOT like "demand" (strong and direct), "gripe" is more about expressing unhappiness without asking for immediate action
Try Other Words
- •Complain: express unhappiness or dissatisfaction (Use when the complaint is general or serious)
- •Moan: complain in a sad or annoying way (Use when the complaint sounds weak or repeated)
- •Whine: complain in a high-pitched or childish way (Use when complaining sounds annoying or immature)
- •Grumble: complain quietly or under your breath (Use when complaints are low and not loud)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix; "gripe" is a simple root word)
- •Etymology: From Old English "grīpan," meaning to seize or grasp; later evolved to mean complain or express discomfort
- •Historical development: Originally meant to grip or hold tightly, then by the 19th century started to mean complain or express annoyance
- •Modern usage: Used mostly to talk about small complaints or annoyances, common in everyday English, both as noun and verb
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of things do you often gripe about in your daily life? Why do you think people feel better after complaining?
•How can you tell the difference between a helpful complaint and just a constant gripe that might annoy others?
Fill in the blanks
1.When people gripe about traffic, they usually feel ___ because of delays and noise.
2.She has a small gripe ___ the new rules at work that make things harder.
3.Unlike a serious problem, a gripe is often about ___ issues or annoyances.
4.He tends to gripe ___ his food when it’s not cooked the way he likes.
5.Sometimes, people gripe ___ others to get sympathy or support.
6.If someone keeps griping but never tries to fix the problem, it can become ___.
7.After she griped about the cold weather, she decided to ___ a warm jacket.