quarrel
A quarrel is an angry argument between people who usually like each other.
Explanation at your level:
A quarrel is a fight with words. If you and your friend are angry and you say mean things, that is a quarrel. It happens between people who usually like each other. You can say, 'We had a little quarrel.' It is not a big war, just a small argument.
When people have a quarrel, they are arguing. It is usually about something small. For example, you might have a quarrel with your brother about a game. It is a common word to describe a disagreement between friends or family members.
The word quarrel describes an angry disagreement. Unlike a 'fight' which might be physical, a quarrel is almost always verbal. It is very common to hear this word when talking about relationships. You might say, 'They had a quarrel over money,' or 'I don't want to quarrel with you.' It implies that the relationship is important and the argument is just a temporary bump in the road.
In B2 level English, we use quarrel to add nuance to our descriptions of conflict. It suggests a level of intimacy between the parties involved. You wouldn't typically use it for professional disputes; for those, you would use 'disagreement' or 'conflict.' A quarrel feels personal and often involves heated emotions. It is a great word for storytelling or discussing interpersonal dynamics.
At the C1 level, you can use quarrel in more figurative ways. You might say someone has 'no quarrel' with a certain policy, meaning they have no objection to it. This usage is slightly more formal and shows a command of how the word has evolved from its roots in legal complaints. It is a sophisticated way to express a lack of opposition or a feeling of indifference toward a situation.
At the C2 level, you appreciate the literary and historical weight of quarrel. It appears frequently in classic literature to describe the 'lovers' quarrels' that drive dramatic plots. You can also use it to describe abstract conflicts, like a 'quarrel with fate.' Understanding its etymology—from the square-headed crossbow bolt—adds a layer of depth to your usage. It is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane, everyday argument and the grand, dramatic conflicts of history and art.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- A quarrel is a verbal disagreement.
- It usually happens between people who are close.
- It can be used as a noun or a verb.
- It implies emotion and temporary conflict.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word quarrel. Think of it as a specific type of argument. It isn't just any disagreement; it usually happens between people who are actually on good terms, like siblings or best friends.
When you have a quarrel, there is usually some heat and emotion involved. It’s that moment when you stop being calm and start bickering. Whether you are using it as a noun (the argument itself) or a verb (the act of arguing), it paints a picture of a temporary rift in a relationship.
It’s a great word to have in your vocabulary because it sounds a bit more sophisticated than just saying 'we were fighting.' It suggests that the people involved care about each other, which is why the disagreement feels so significant at the time.
The history of quarrel is quite fascinating! It traces back to the Old French word querele, which came from the Latin querela, meaning 'complaint' or 'lament.' Originally, it was tied to legal disputes.
In Middle English, the word also took on a very different meaning: it referred to a square-headed crossbow bolt. Isn't that wild? The connection is that these bolts were 'quarrel-shaped' (from the Latin quadrus, meaning square). While we don't use it for weapons anymore, the 'argument' meaning stuck around.
Over centuries, the word evolved from legal complaints to the personal, emotional disagreements we talk about today. It’s a perfect example of how language shifts from formal, technical roots to the cozy, everyday words we use to describe our own lives.
Using quarrel correctly is all about the context. You wouldn't usually say you had a 'quarrel' with a stranger on the bus; that would be a 'dispute' or a 'fight.' You save quarrel for people you know well.
Common phrases include 'pick a quarrel' or 'have a quarrel with.' It fits perfectly in narrative writing or when describing personal relationships. It sits in the middle of the register scale—it's not slang, but it's not overly stiff either.
When you use it as a verb, you might say, 'They are always quarreling over small things.' It sounds a bit more literary or descriptive than simply saying 'arguing.' It adds a nice touch of color to your sentences!
Idioms make language fun! Here are a few ways to use the concept of a quarrel:
- Pick a quarrel: To intentionally start an argument.
- Bury the hatchet: To end a quarrel and make peace.
- Have no quarrel with: To have no objection to something.
- Quarrel with one's bread and butter: To act against one's own livelihood.
- A lover's quarrel: A minor argument between people in love.
These phrases help you express complex feelings about disagreements without needing a whole paragraph of explanation. Try using 'bury the hatchet' next time you make up with a friend!
Grammatically, quarrel is a regular noun and verb. The plural is quarrels, and the past tense is quarreled (US) or quarrelled (UK). Note that double 'l' in British English!
Pronunciation-wise, it sounds like KWOR-uhl. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like barrel, snarrel, and sorrel. It’s a two-syllable word that is very satisfying to say.
When using it as a verb, it’s often followed by 'with' or 'over.' For example: 'I don't want to quarrel with you about the dishes.' It’s a simple, straightforward pattern that you can master in no time.
Fun Fact
The word once referred to a square-headed arrow!
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound, emphasis on the first syllable.
Slightly longer 'o' sound, very clear 'r' sounds.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'coral'.
- Putting stress on the second syllable.
- Dropping the final 'l' sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Accessible for most learners.
Easy to integrate.
Natural in conversation.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
پیشرفته
Grammar to Know
Verb + Preposition
quarrel with
Countable Nouns
a quarrel
Past Tense Spelling
quarreled/quarrelled
Examples by Level
They had a small quarrel.
They had a little fight.
Noun usage.
Do not quarrel.
Don't fight.
Imperative verb.
It was a silly quarrel.
It was a stupid argument.
Adjective + noun.
I hate to quarrel.
I don't like to argue.
Verb usage.
They ended their quarrel.
They stopped fighting.
Noun usage.
Why did they quarrel?
Why did they fight?
Past tense verb.
No more quarrels!
Stop the fighting!
Plural noun.
Let us not quarrel.
Let's be friends.
Polite suggestion.
They had a noisy quarrel in the kitchen.
I don't want to quarrel with my best friend.
The couple had a long quarrel about their vacation plans.
Please stop this quarrel right now.
It is not worth a quarrel.
They often quarrel over simple things.
Their quarrel lasted all evening.
She tried to avoid a quarrel.
The siblings had a bitter quarrel over the inheritance.
I have no quarrel with your decision to leave.
They managed to settle their quarrel before dinner.
It is common for couples to have a lover's quarrel.
He picked a quarrel with the waiter for no reason.
Their constant quarreling made the house uncomfortable.
I don't want to quarrel with you over such a small detail.
The quarrel ended as quickly as it had begun.
Despite their recent quarrel, they remained close friends.
The politician had no quarrel with the proposed legislation.
Their public quarrel caused quite a stir in the community.
It was a petty quarrel that grew out of proportion.
She felt a deep sense of regret after their heated quarrel.
They were known for their frequent, passionate quarrels.
The history of the family is marked by a long-standing quarrel.
I found it impossible to quarrel with his logic.
He had no quarrel with the methodology used in the study.
The poet describes a metaphorical quarrel with the passage of time.
Their quarrel was less about the facts and more about underlying resentment.
It is a philosophical quarrel that has lasted for centuries.
She maintained that she had no quarrel with the management.
The narrative centers on a tragic quarrel between two houses.
He looked back on their youthful quarrels with a sense of nostalgia.
The dispute escalated from a minor difference into a full-blown quarrel.
The protagonists engage in a dialectical quarrel that defines the novel.
One might say his entire life was a quarrel with the status quo.
The legal documents reveal a long-standing property quarrel.
Her critique was a subtle quarrel with the prevailing artistic norms.
The historical account details the petty quarrels of the royal court.
He viewed the disagreement not as a quarrel, but as a necessary debate.
The atmosphere was thick with the residue of their recent quarrel.
It is a classic example of an irreconcilable quarrel.
ترکیبهای رایج
Idioms & Expressions
"Bury the hatchet"
To make peace after a quarrel.
It is time we bury the hatchet.
neutral"Pick a fight/quarrel"
To start an argument on purpose.
Are you trying to pick a quarrel?
casual"Have no quarrel with"
To not object to something.
I have no quarrel with your plan.
formal"A bone of contention"
The subject of a quarrel.
The money was a bone of contention.
neutral"At odds"
In a state of disagreement.
They are at odds over the schedule.
neutral"Clear the air"
To talk about a quarrel to feel better.
We need to clear the air.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean argument.
Squabble is more trivial.
A squabble over cake vs a quarrel over values.
Both mean disagreement.
Dispute is more formal/legal.
A land dispute vs a lover's quarrel.
Both involve conflict.
Fight can be physical.
A fist fight vs a verbal quarrel.
Both mean disagreement.
Argument is the most general term.
A logical argument vs an emotional quarrel.
Sentence Patterns
They had a [adjective] quarrel.
They had a bitter quarrel.
I do not want to quarrel with you.
I do not want to quarrel with you.
They were quarreling over [noun].
They were quarreling over the money.
I have no quarrel with [noun].
I have no quarrel with your choice.
It was a quarrel that lasted [time].
It was a quarrel that lasted years.
خانواده کلمه
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
مرتبط
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
اشتباهات رایج
Quarrel is primarily verbal.
Quarrel is too personal.
US English prefers one 'l'.
They sound slightly similar but mean different things.
Quarrel is a noun/verb, not an adjective.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a 'square' (quad) arrow hitting a target to remember the origin.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when describing personal, emotional arguments.
Cultural Insight
Common in British English literature.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember 'quarrel with' someone.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'kw' sound at the start.
Don't Make This Mistake
Avoid using it for physical violence.
Did You Know?
It used to mean a crossbow bolt!
Study Smart
Use it in a journal entry about your day.
Write Better
Use 'quarrel' to replace 'argument' in stories.
Sound Natural
Use it to describe a small disagreement with a friend.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Quarrel rhymes with barrel; imagine two people fighting over a barrel of apples.
Visual Association
Two people standing back-to-back with crossed arms.
Word Web
چالش
Write a sentence using 'quarrel' today.
ریشه کلمه
Old French / Latin
Original meaning: Complaint / Crossbow bolt
بافت فرهنگی
None, but can sound a bit old-fashioned in very casual settings.
Often used in family dramas or literature.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Family life
- a family quarrel
- quarreling siblings
- settling a quarrel
Friendships
- a silly quarrel
- avoiding a quarrel
- making up after a quarrel
Literature/Drama
- a tragic quarrel
- the cause of the quarrel
- a long-standing quarrel
Philosophy/Debate
- no quarrel with the logic
- a philosophical quarrel
- the nature of the quarrel
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had a quarrel with a friend?"
"What is the best way to settle a quarrel?"
"Do you think small quarrels are healthy for relationships?"
"What was the last thing you had a quarrel about?"
"How do you feel after a quarrel?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had a quarrel and how it ended.
Is it better to avoid a quarrel or face it head-on?
Write a story about two people who have a quarrel over something silly.
Reflect on how your communication style changes during a quarrel.
سوالات متداول
8 سوالNo, it just describes an argument.
Only if it is a verbal fight.
Quarrels.
Q-U-A-R-R-E-L.
It is neutral to slightly formal.
It is better to use 'dispute' or 'argument'.
Yes, quarreled or quarrelled.
Quarrelsome.
خودت رو بسنج
They had a small ___.
Quarrel is the noun for a small argument.
What is a quarrel?
A quarrel is an angry disagreement.
A quarrel is usually physical.
A quarrel is typically verbal.
Word
معنی
Matching synonyms and idioms.
Subject + verb + article + noun.
He is very ___ and argues with everyone.
Quarrelsome means tending to argue.
Which is a synonym for quarrel?
Altercation is a formal synonym.
You can have a quarrel with a policy.
It means to object to a policy.
Word
معنی
Matching advanced vocabulary.
Formal structure.
امتیاز: /10
Summary
A quarrel is a heated but temporary argument between people who generally care about each other.
- A quarrel is a verbal disagreement.
- It usually happens between people who are close.
- It can be used as a noun or a verb.
- It implies emotion and temporary conflict.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a 'square' (quad) arrow hitting a target to remember the origin.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when describing personal, emotional arguments.
Cultural Insight
Common in British English literature.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember 'quarrel with' someone.
