quarrel

/ˈkwɔːrəl/

Say it: KWOR-uhl

1. noun An angry argument or disagreement, especially between people who are usually on good terms.
The couple had a bitter quarrel over money and never spoke again.
2. verb To have an angry argument or disagreement.
It's not worth it to quarrel with your family over such a trivial matter.
3. noun A reason for a complaint, or a cause of dispute.
My only quarrel with the new policy is that it was implemented without consultation.

📖 Seen in the wild

The siblings had a bitter quarrel over who would inherit the old family heirloom.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ quarrel in a sentence

The children were quarreling over who got to use the computer next.
Their long-standing quarrel about the inheritance finally ended up in court.
He had no quarrel with the referee's decision, admitting his player was at fault.
A petty quarrel between the two managers created a toxic atmosphere in the office.
Literary history is full of famous quarrels between authors.
She left the room to avoid getting drawn into their pointless quarrel.
The territorial quarrel between the neighboring countries has simmered for decades.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

argument dispute row altercation squabble bickering tiff spat

argument · more general; can be a reasoned debate or an angry dispute.

dispute · often suggests a more formal or serious disagreement over a specific issue.

row · a noisy, angry argument, often considered informal and more common in British English.

altercation · a more formal term for a noisy, heated, and often public argument.

Opposites: agreement, harmony, accord, reconciliation, peace

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'quarrel' traces back to the Latin word 'querela', meaning 'a complaint'. It entered English through Old French, initially keeping its sense of a complaint or grievance. Over time, the meaning shifted from the reason for the dispute to the angry dispute itself.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

a bitter quarrela petty quarrelpick a quarrelhave no quarrel withsettle a quarrela family quarrel

A 'quarrel' typically implies a verbal and emotional conflict between people who know each other, like friends or family. It's less physical than a 'fight' and more heated than a simple 'disagreement'. The idiom 'to have no quarrel with' something is a widely used and slightly formal way to express that you do not object to it.

Word family: quarrelsome, quarreler

💬 Quick answers

What does 'quarrel' mean?

A quarrel is an angry, verbal disagreement, typically between people who have some kind of relationship. As a verb, it means to engage in such a disagreement.

What is the difference between a quarrel and an argument?

While both involve disagreement, a quarrel is specifically angry and emotional. An argument can be a calm, reasoned debate, but a quarrel is always heated.

What does 'I have no quarrel with that' mean?

This common phrase means 'I have no objection to that' or 'I don't disagree with that point'. It's a way of showing acceptance or agreement.

Is 'quarrel' a formal word?

Quarrel is a standard, neutral word suitable for most contexts. It can sound slightly more formal or literary than alternatives like 'fight' or 'spat'.

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