Definition

1. Noun:

   • An angry argument or disagreement: A verbal conflict between people, often involving strong emotions like anger or resentment.
   • A cause for complaint or dispute: A reason for disagreement or a point of contention.

2. Verb:

   • To argue angrily or have a heated disagreement: To engage in a verbal fight or dispute with someone.

Examples

• Noun:

  • They had a bitter quarrel over money.
  • I have no quarrel with his decision; I think it's fair.

• Verb:

  • The siblings often quarrel about who gets to use the computer first.
  • It's pointless to quarrel over such a minor detail.

Advanced Usage

• "to pick a quarrel": To deliberately provoke an argument.

  • He seemed to be trying to pick a quarrel with everyone at the meeting.

• "to have a quarrel with": To have a specific complaint or disagreement about something.

  • I have no quarrel with the plan itself, only with its timing.

Variants and Related Words

• Quarrelsome (adj): Inclined to argue or fight.

  • The quarrelsome neighbor was always complaining.

• Quarreling (n/adj): The act of arguing, or describing people who are arguing.

  • The constant quarreling was exhausting.

Synonyms

• Argument: A reason or set of reasons given in opposition; also a verbal dispute.
• Dispute: A disagreement or debate.
• Squabble: A noisy argument about something trivial.
• Altercation: A noisy argument or confrontation.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Quarrel with: To disagree with or find fault with something (often an idea or situation, not just a person).
  • I can't quarrel with the logic of your proposal.
  • He's always quarreling with his fate.

Related Idioms

• A bad workman quarrels with his tools: An unskilled person blames their equipment for their poor work.

  • Instead of admitting his mistake, he blamed the software—a classic case of a bad workman quarreling with his tools.

• To patch up a quarrel: To reconcile or resolve an argument.

  • They finally patched up their quarrel after not speaking for a week.

Noun

1. an arrow that is shot from a crossbow; has a head with four edges
2. an angry dispute
   • they had a quarrel
   • they had words

Verb

1. have a disagreement over something
   • We quarreled over the question as to who discovered America
   • These two fellows are always scrapping over something