Definition of QUARREL

quarrel

Plural: quarrels

Noun

  • an angry dispute
    • "they had a quarrel"
  • an arrow that is shot from a crossbow; has a head with four edges
  • A dispute or heated argument (especially one that is verbal).
  • Often preceded by a form of to have: a basis or ground of dispute or objection; a complaint; also, a feeling or situation of ill will and unhappiness caused by this.
  • A propensity to quarrel; quarrelsomeness.
  • An arrow or bolt for a crossbow or an arbalest (“a late, large type of crossbow”), traditionally with the head square in its cross section.
  • A diamond- or square-shaped piece of glass forming part of a lattice window.
  • A square tile; a quarry tile; (uncountable) such tiles collectively.
  • A cutting tool or chisel with a diamond- or square-shaped end.
  • A small square-shaped opening in window tracery.

Verb

Verb Forms: quarreled, quarreling, quarrels, quarrelled, quarrelling

  • To engage in an angry dispute or disagreement.
  • have a disagreement over something
    • "We quarreled over the question as to who discovered America"
  • To argue fiercely; to contend; to squabble; to cease to be on friendly terms, to fall out.
  • To find fault; to cavil.
  • Followed by at: to disagree with; to take offence.
  • To argue or squabble with (someone).

Examples

  • A few customers in the shop had some quarrels with us, so we called for the manager.
  • I have no quarrel with her; it’s her partner whom I dislike.
  • They often QUARREL over dictionary interpretations in their intense Scrabble games.
  • to quarrel with one’s lot
  • We got into a silly quarrel about what food to order.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English querele (“altercation, dispute; argument, debate; armed combat; trial by combat; basis for dispute, complaint; claim, legal suit; a lament; illness”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman querele [and other forms] and Middle French querele, querelle (“altercation, dispute; basis for dispute; side in a dispute; complaint; accusation; legal suit; lament; problem”) (modern French querelle), and from their etymon Latin querēla, querella (“dispute; argument; complaint, grievance; legal complaint; lament; illness”), from querī + -ēla, -ella (suffix forming nouns). Querī (“to complain; to bewail, lament; to be indignant”) comes from Proto-Indo-European *ḱwes- (“to puff; to sigh”).

Scrabble Score: 16

quarrel: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
quarrel: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
quarrel: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

quarrel: valid Words With Friends Word