Querulent

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Habitually complaining or whining in a petulant manner
2. Characterized by a tendency to complain in a contentious way, exhibiting a persistent and petulant attitude towards grievances
3. Frequently expressing dissatisfaction in a childish or irritating way

Etymology: The word that gave English "quarrel" is also behind this one. Latin "queri" meant "to complain," and its noun "querela" meant a complaint or grievance. That noun passed through Old French as "querele," which became the English word for a dispute. "Querulent" grows from the same Latin root, through "querulus," an adjective meaning complaining or whining. The ending "-ulent" comes from Latin "-ulentus," meaning "full of" or "abounding in," the same suffix found in "turbulent" and "opulent." So the word's core sense is "full of complaint," describing someone whose manner is constantly grumbling rather than someone who has a single grievance.

Synonyms: complaining, grumbling

Antonyms: content, satisfied