Quarrel Meaning and Definition
Quarrel
Pronunciation
/ˈkwɑrəl/
Part of Speech
Noun or Verb
Definition
A quarrel is a noisy and angry argument between two people, often with insults and threats. As a verb, to quarrel means to argue or dispute with someone.
Examples
- The couple’s quarrel lasted for hours, with neither side willing to back down.
- Neighbors were forced to intervene when the quarrel between the two brothers turned physical.
Synonyms
- Argument
- Dispute
- Altercation
Antonyms
- Harmony
- Pacification
- Conciliation
Etymology
The word “quarrel” comes from the Old French “querrele”, meaning “dispute” or “argument”, from the Latin “quarrum”, meaning “row” or “strife”.
Usage Notes
When used as a noun, “quarrel” typically refers to a specific argument or dispute, while as a verb, it implies a more general sense of arguing or disputing.
Cultural References
The term “quarrel” has been used in various literary and cultural works, including Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the Novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
A common idiomatic expression is “to pick a quarrel”, meaning to intentionally provoke an argument or dispute.
Related Words or Phrases
Related words include “altercation”, “dispute”, “argument”, “row”, and “strife”, all of which refer to noisy or angry disagreements between people.
Collocations
Collocations with “quarrel” include “pick a quarrel”, “have a quarrel”, “quarrel over”, “quarrel with”, and “avoid a quarrel”.
Frequency of Use
The word “quarrel” is commonly used in everyday language, particularly in emotional or heated situations, and is often used in spoken language rather than written language.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “quarrel” include “quarrel” (without a hyphen), “quarrell”, “quarrele”, and “quarrelly”.