Words / C1

GREEV-uh-ns/ˈɡriːvəns/

A grievance is a real cause for complaint, or the formal complaint itself: file a grievance, a legitimate grievance. Grieve is to mourn; grief is the feeling. Complaint is everyday; grievance is often workplace or legal procedure. Do not call a preference for tea a grievance.

Meaning

A formal complaint, or a real cause for complaint.

Examples

• “The union filed a grievance over unpaid invigilation.”
• “The union’s grievance named unpaid invigilation, not the colour of the chairs.”
• “A grievance procedure is the formal track; a moan in the kitchen is not yet one.”

Good to know

A formal complaint / a justified hurt. Verb of mourning: grieve. Everyday: complaint. Not a trivial preference.

Near in meaning

complaint

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