complain and kick share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. complain means “express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness”. kick means “drive or propel with the foot”. kick is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/kəmˈpleɪn/
1.v.express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
“My mother complains all day”
2.v.make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge
“The plaintiff's lawyer complained that he defendant had physically abused his client”
/ˈkɪk/
1.v.drive or propel with the foot
2.v.thrash about or strike out with the feet
3.v.strike with the foot
“The boy kicked the dog”
| complain | kick | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /kəmˈpleɪn/ | /ˈkɪk/ |
| Said | kuhm-PLAYN | kik |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Letters | 8 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | verb | verb, noun |
| Senses | 2 | 14 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | kick, plain, sound off | none recorded |
Full entry for complain · Full entry for kick · More comparisons