Words / A2

KWOR-uh-l/ˈkwɒrəl/

A quarrel is an angry argument, usually between people who know each other: have a quarrel, a family quarrel, quarrel about money. Argument is a wider cousin (can be calmer or more formal). Fight can be physical; a quarrel is with words. Quarrel can also be a verb (they quarrelled). British past: quarrelled. Do not write squirrel (the animal) for quarrel.

Meaning

An angry argument between people who know each other.

Examples

• “They had a quarrel about whose turn it was to cook.”
• “The neighbours had a quarrel over the parking space.”
• “Try not to start a quarrel at the dinner table.”

Good to know

have a quarrel / quarrel about. Cousin: argument. Physical: fight. Mix-up: squirrel.

Near in meaning

argument

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