quarrel

quarrel — noun

1. A situation where two or more persons exchange angry words, typically about some

1.nounB1
Definition

A situation where two or more persons exchange angry words, typically about something that seems unimportant to others.

Example

Hiro had a quarrel with his sister over whose turn it was to use the tablet.

have + a + quarrel + with + person + over + topic

The neighbours' loud quarrel about the fence kept everyone awake until midnight.

loud quarrel + about + topic

Common collocations
  • have a quarrel
  • bitter quarrel
  • family quarrel
  • get into a quarrel
  • loud quarrel
Synonyms
  • argument

    more general and neutral; does not always carry the same emotional charge as quarrel

  • dispute

    more formal; often used for legal or business disagreements

  • disagreement

    milder; can be a simple difference of opinion without anger

  • feud

    long-lasting and bitter quarrel between families or groups

Antonyms
  • agreement

    a situation where people share the same opinion

  • reconciliation

    the act of ending a quarrel and becoming friendly again

Grammar Patterns

have + a + quarrel + with + person + about/over + topic

Usage Note

Frequently used in fixed verb phrases: 'have a quarrel', 'get into a quarrel', 'start a quarrel'. The preposition 'with' introduces the person, while 'about' or 'over' introduces the topic.

Common Mistakes

They had quarrel about the car.
They had a quarrel about the car.
quarrel is a countable noun and needs a determiner.
I had a quarrel against my brother.
I had a quarrel with my brother.
use 'with', not 'against', for the other person in the argument.
Idioms

pick a quarrel (with somebody)

idiom

To deliberately start an argument or fight with someone, often for no good reason.

The man seemed to be in a bad mood and tried to pick a quarrel with Hassan at the bus stop.

Abigail did not want to pick a quarrel with her in-laws, so she kept her opinion to herself.

pick a fight/quarrel (with somebody)

idiom

To intentionally start a conflict or argument with another person.

Mia picked a fight with her brother over the TV remote.

Why did you pick a quarrel with the new student?

quarrel — verb

Word family

  • quarrelsome
    adjectiveC1
  • quarrelling
    nounB2
  • quarrelled
    verbB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a situation in which people do not share the same view. Quarrel suggests a heated, often personal exchange that may feel petty to outsiders — you can have a quarrel with a sibling about who left the lights on. Argument is the most general term: it can range from a calm exchange of reasons to an angry shouting match. Dispute is more formal and often involves facts, contracts, or territory — for example, a dispute between two companies over a patent. Disagreement is the mildest word: it can simply mean having a different opinion without any anger. Use 'disagreement' when you want to sound polite or neutral. Use 'quarrel' when you want to emphasise the emotional tone and personal nature of the conflict.

quarrel ↗argument ↗dispute ↗disagreement ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • have a quarrel
  • get into a quarrel
  • start a quarrel

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Quarrel entered English in the 1300s from Old French 'querele', meaning a complaint or dispute. The French word came from Latin 'querella' (a complaint), which itself came from the Latin verb 'queri', meaning to complain or lament. The original sense in English was a formal complaint or accusation, but over time the meaning shifted to any angry disagreement between people. The spelling gradually changed from 'querele' to 'quarrel' under the influence of Latin.