Complaintive for Dummies

Complaintive is a word that describes someone or something as expressing complaints or dissatisfaction. When we say that someone is "complaintive," it means that they tend to frequently express their dissatisfaction or grievances about something. It's like when you don't like something and you keep talking about it, pointing out what bothers you, or expressing your disappointment or unhappiness about it. It's similar to when you're not feeling well and you keep telling people about your symptoms, hoping to get some help or attention.

For example, imagine you have a friend who always complains about the meals at school. They often say things like, "The food is terrible, and I can't stand eating it." This friend would be described as "complaintive" because they constantly express their dissatisfaction about the meals.

Now, there is another meaning of "complaintive" that we can explore. It can also describe a sound or a voice that is filled with complaints or sadness. It's like when you hear someone's voice and it instantly gives you a feeling of distress or sorrow. It's similar to when you hear a sad song that makes you feel like crying because the singer's voice conveys so much emotion and sadness.

For example, you may have heard someone singing a song where their voice sounds full of sadness, and it instantly makes you feel a bit melancholic or sorrowful. In this case, we can say that the person's singing is "complaintive" because it conveys a sense of sadness or sorrow in their voice.

So, to sum it up, "complaintive" means expressing complaints or dissatisfaction, whether it's through words or the tone of someone's voice. It's like when you always talk about what you don't like or you express sadness through your voice.