c-o-m-p-l-a-i-n
COMPLAIN A word used in Scrabble and other word games.
14
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
COMPLAIN is a valid word in Scrabble and other word games. This word can earn you valuable points due to its letter composition.
The etymology of COMPLAIN varies based on its origin and usage in the English language.
•8-letter words like COMPLAIN can earn the 50-point bingo bonus if you use all 7 tiles
•Studying 8-letter words is crucial for achieving high scores in competitive play
•The probability of drawing tiles to form a 8-letter word increases with vocabulary knowledge
•"Complaint" was once a medical term for illness—doctors asked "What's your complaint?"
•British people apologize before complaining 87% of the time—"Sorry, but..."
""I played COMPLAIN on a triple word score and earned a huge number of points.""
""COMPLAIN is one of those words that can really boost your score in word games.""
Words that share letter patterns with COMPLAIN - useful for finding alternatives in word games:
Tip: Look for words containing PLAIN or starting with COM- for easier building.
Note: COMPLAINING (11 letters) is valuable for extending existing plays.
"Can't complain"
Things are going reasonably well
"Nothing to complain about"
Everything is satisfactory
"File a complaint"
Make a formal grievance
"Complain bitterly"
Express strong dissatisfaction
"Chronic complainer"
Someone who habitually complains
"No use complaining"
Complaints won't change anything
Total base points: 14 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 3 | Consonants: 5
COMPLAIN contains PLAIN, offering excellent building opportunities. Look for existing PLAIN on the board to add COM- prefix. Alternatively, if you play COMPLAIN, opponents might overlook that PLAIN can stand alone. This word-within-word structure makes COMPLAIN particularly versatile for strategic placement.
The COM- prefix appears in hundreds of words, making COMPLAIN part of a powerful word family. Position COMPLAIN where COM can form perpendicular words like COME, COMP, or COMA. This prefix strategy often yields 20-30 bonus points from crosses.
COMPLAIN extends beautifully: COMPLAINS (+S), COMPLAINED (+ED), COMPLAINING (+ING). The noun forms COMPLAINT and COMPLAINER offer alternative plays. Smart players hold tiles that could complete these extensions when COMPLAIN appears on the board.
As an 8-letter word, COMPLAIN requires using all 7 tiles plus one on the board. Look for loose C, P, or N tiles to complete your bingo. The 50-point bonus plus base score often totals 70-80 points, making COMPLAIN a game-changing play.
Modern capitalism transformed complaining into currency. Online reviews drive purchasing decisions worth billions. Companies employ "complaint specialists" and "customer success managers." The phrase "the customer is always right" institutionalized complaint culture. Yet studies show only 4% of dissatisfied customers actually complain—the silent majority simply takes their business elsewhere. This "complaint gap" costs companies more than addressing voiced grievances.
Social media weaponized complaining. A single tweet can trigger corporate crisis management. "Cancel culture" represents collective complaining at scale. Viral complaint videos generate millions of views and real change. Yet "slacktivism"—complaining online without action— often replaces meaningful engagement. The ease of digital complaining paradoxically may reduce its effectiveness through oversaturation.
Neuroscience reveals complaining as addictive behavior. The brain releases dopamine when others validate our complaints, creating feedback loops. Chronic complainers literally rewire neural pathways toward negativity. "Complaint fasting"—deliberately avoiding complaints—has become a wellness trend. Some companies institute "no complaint days" to boost morale and productivity.
Complaining styles reveal cultural values. Americans complain expecting solutions—"fix it!" Japanese indirect complaint preserves harmony through hint and suggestion. Germans appreciate detailed, logical complaints with documentation. Italians embrace passionate, dramatic complaint performances. Understanding cultural complaint norms prevents international business disasters and social faux pas.
Missing PLAIN within COMPLAIN
Always check if PLAIN exists on the board—you might only need to add COM-.
Forgetting noun forms
COMPLAINT and COMPLAINER are valid alternatives when COMPLAIN won't fit.
Ignoring COM- prefix opportunities
The COM- opening creates numerous perpendicular word possibilities.
Poor C placement
C is worth 3 points—position it on double/triple letter scores when possible.
Master players view COMPLAIN as a "compound opportunity"—it's both a complete word and two building blocks (COM + PLAIN). When holding C-O-M-P-L-A-I-N, first scan for existing PLAIN to add COM-, then look for COM words to extend with PLAIN. This dual nature makes COMPLAIN incredibly flexible. The word often appears in tournament finals because skilled players recognize its building potential. Remember: in Scrabble, the best complainers are those who find multiple ways to play their tiles! Pro tip: COMPLAIN + T = COMPLAINT for an easy 9-letter extension.
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like COMPLAIN