What does "quarrel" mean?
A dispute or heated argument (especially one that is verbal).
Quarrel
/ˈkwɒɹ(ə)l/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A dispute or heated argument (especially one that is verbal).
- Grammar: quarrel is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: row, wrangle, action, aerial combat.
- Useful contrasts: accord, agree, agreement.
- Usage evidence: What was the cause of your quarrel?
How to use "quarrel"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "quarrel" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "quarrel" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "quarrel" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A dispute or heated argument (especially one that is verbal). countable
"We got into a silly quarrel about what food to order."
- 2 An arrow or bolt for a crossbow or an arbalest (“a late, large type of crossbow”), traditionally with the head square in its cross section. countable, historical
"Twanged the ſtring, out flew the quarell long, / And through the ſubtile aire did ſinging pas, / It hit the knight the buckles rich among, / Wherewith his pretious girdle faſt'ned was, / It bruſed them and pearſt his hawberke ſtrong, / Some little blood downe trickled on the gras; [...]"
- 3 an arrow that is shot from a crossbow; has a head with four edges wordnet
- 4 Often preceded by a form of to have: a basis or ground of dispute or objection; a complaint; also, a feeling or situation of ill will and unhappiness caused by this. countable
"A few customers in the shop had some quarrels with us, so we called for the manager."
- 5 A diamond- or square-shaped piece of glass forming part of a lattice window. countable
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 an angry dispute wordnet
- 7 A propensity to quarrel; quarrelsomeness. rare, uncountable
"If I can faſten but one cup vpon him, / With that which he hath drunke to night already, / Hee'll be as full of quarrell and offence, / As my young miſtris dog:— [...]"
- 8 A square tile; a quarry tile; (uncountable) such tiles collectively. Northern-England, countable
- 9 A cutting tool or chisel with a diamond- or square-shaped end. countable, obsolete, rare
- 10 A small square-shaped opening in window tracery. countable, obsolete
Verb
- 1 To argue fiercely; to contend; to squabble; to cease to be on friendly terms, to fall out. also, figuratively, intransitive
"[T]here is no doubt but the facture or framing of the inward parts, is as full of difference, as the outward, and in that, is the Cauſe Continent of many diſeaſes, which not be obſerued, they quarrell many times with the humors which are not in fault, the fault being in the very frame and Mechanicke of the parte, which cannot be remoued by medicine alteratiue, but muſt be accomodate and palliate by dyets and medicines familiar."
- 2 have a disagreement over something wordnet
- 3 To find fault; to cavil. intransitive
"to quarrel with one’s lot"
- 4 Followed by at: to disagree with; to take offence. intransitive, obsolete
- 5 To argue or squabble with (someone). transitive
"[T]hey would ſay [...] that I had quarrell'd / My brother purpoſely, thereby to finde / An apt pretext, to baniſh them my houſe."
Example
"What was the cause of your quarrel?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "quarrel"?
Common synonyms include: row, wrangle, action, aerial combat, affray, altercate.
How do you use "quarrel" in a sentence?
What was the cause of your quarrel?
How do you pronounce "quarrel"?
Pronounced /ˈkwɒɹ(ə)l/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English querele (“altercation, dispute; argument, debate; armed combat; trial by combat; basis for dispute, complaint; claim, legal suit; a lament; illness”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman querele [and other forms] and Middle French querele, querelle (“altercation, dispute; basis for dispute; side in a dispute; complaint; accusation; legal suit; lament; problem”) (modern French querelle), and from their etymon Latin querēla, querella (“dispute; argument; complaint, grievance; legal complaint; lament; illness”), from querī + -ēla, -ella (suffix forming nouns). querī (“to complain; to bewail, lament; to be indignant”) comes from Proto-Indo-European *ḱwes- (“to puff; to sigh”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English querelen (“to dispute, quarrel; to assert one's claims; to rebel”) [and other forms], from querele (noun); see etymology 1. Compare Anglo-Norman, Middle French, and Old French quereler, quereller (“to argue with, dispute; to criticize; to bring a legal suit”) (modern French quereller (“to quarrel, squabble”)).
Etymology 3
PIE word *kʷetwóres From Middle English quarrel (“bolt for an arbalest, crossbow, or siege engine; (figurative) seductive glance, temptation to sin; needle (possibly one square in cross-section); small (perhaps square-shaped) opening in window tracery; a cushion (perhaps square-shaped)”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman quarel, quarele, quarrel, Middle French quarrel, and Old French quarel, quarrel, carrel (“crossbow bolt; floor tile or paving stone (rectangular- or square-shaped); small glass pane for windows”) (modern French carreau (“crossbow bolt; a tile; windowpane; a square”)), from Late Latin quarellus, quadrellus (“crossbow bolt; paving stone; a tile”), from Latin quadrum (“a square; square section; regular shape or form”) + -ellus (variant of -ulus (suffix forming diminutive nouns, indicating small size or youth)). Quadrum is ultimately derived from quattuor (“four”), from Proto-Indo-European *kʷetwóres (“four”). Doublet of carreau.