quarrelling

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈkwɒrəlɪŋ/

From the verb quarrel: (⇒ conjugate)
quarrelling is: Click the infinitive to see all available inflections
v pres p (Mainly UK)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
quar•rel1 /ˈkwɔrəl, ˈkwɑr-/USA pronunciation   n., v., -reled, -rel•ing or (esp. Brit.) -relled, -rel•ling. 
n. [countable]
  1. an angry dispute or argument:Whenever we have a quarrel we try to resolve it quickly.
  2. a cause of complaint:She has no quarrel with her present salary.

v. [no object]
  1. to disagree angrily;
    argue;
    squabble;
    wrangle:They quarreled about sending their kids to private school.
  2. to disagree with something said:I'd quarrel with some of the results you're predicting.
quar•rel•er, n. [countable]
quar•rel•some, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
quar•rel1  (kwôrəl, kwor-),USA pronunciation n., v., -reled, -rel•ing or (esp. Brit.) -relled, -rel•ling. 
n. 
  1. an angry dispute or altercation;
    a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations.
  2. a cause of dispute, complaint, or hostile feeling:She has no quarrel with her present salary.

v.i. 
  1. to disagree angrily;
    squabble;
    wrangle.
  2. to end a friendship as a result of a disagreement.
  3. to make a complaint;
    find fault.
  • Latin querēla, querella a complaint, derivative of querī to complain
  • Old French
  • Middle English querele 1300–50
quarrel•er, n. 
quarrel•ing•ly, adv. 
    • 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged argument, contention, controversy, difference, fight.
      Quarrel, dissension refer to disagreement and conflict.
      Quarrel applies chiefly to a verbal disagreement between individuals or groups and is used with reference to a large variety of situations, from a slight and petty difference of opinion to a violent altercation:It was little more than a domestic quarrel. Their quarrel led to the barroom brawl.Dissension usually implies a profound disagreement and bitter conflict. It also applies chiefly to conflict within a group or to members of the same group:dissension within the union; dissension among the Democrats.
    • 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged bicker, argue, brawl, fight.

quar•rel2  (kwôrəl, kwor-),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. a square-headed bolt or arrow, formerly used with a crossbow.
  2. Building, ArchitectureAlso, quarry. a small, square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, as used in latticed windows.
  3. Buildingany of various tools with pyramidal heads.
  • Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square
  • Old French
  • Middle English quarel 1175–1225

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
quarrel / ˈkwɒrəl/
  1. an angry disagreement; argument
  2. a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance
( -rels, -relling, -relled) ( -rels, -reling, -reled)(intransitive) often followed by with:
  1. to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue
  2. to find fault; complain
Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French querele, from Latin querēlla complaint, from querī to complainˈquarreller, ˈquarreler
quarrel / ˈkwɒrəl/
  1. an arrow having a four-edged head, fired from a crossbow
  2. a small square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, usually one of many in a fixed or casement window and framed with lead
Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French quarrel pane, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square
'quarrelling' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
cat - spat - start - war

Forum discussions with the word(s) "quarrelling" in the title:


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