Dictionary

complainey en · ADJ

Etymology

From complain + -ey.

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative spelling of complainy.
   alt of complainy
   • If the lady has a kind of complainey way about her, and gets irritated, it makes it harder to tell her about little things. 1979 June, Ina May Gaskin, “Empirical Midwifery”, in Compulsory Hospitalization or Freedom of Choice in Childbirth?, volume 2 (Midwifery Birth Centers, Home Birth Legal Aspects), Marble Hill, Mo.: Napsac Reproductions, National Association of Parents & Professionals for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth, →ISBN, Midwifery section, page 390:
   • ‘Get away from my skip. I’ve caught you red-handed about to rob my wood . . . blah, blah . . . You have no respect for senior citizens . . . blah, blah . . .’ This was Mr Delaney at his complainey best. 2000, David O’Doherty, “The fastest bookshelf in the world”, in Ronan Long Gets It Wrong, London: Mammoth, →ISBN, pages 5–6:
   • He was missing his "mother-servant," and was "complainey"-⁠- not just the "I'm sad and lonesome, won't someone love me?," but the, "I'm mad as all get out. Things are not going my way. Where is my Mama anyway? I'm going to make everyone pay for this treatment. This will be a night they will not want to repeat. I'll see to it." 1994 August, Michael Pearl, Debi Pearl, “Training Examples”, in To Train Up a Child, Pleasantville, Tenn.: Michael & Debi Pearl, published February 1995 (2nd printing), →OCLC, page 64:
   • “Forget something?” Hank asked. / Yeah. My entire upbringing. July McGrane’s Rules of Engagement Number Eight: No one falls in love with Complainey McBitchypants. 2015 June 30, Janey Mack, chapter 36, in Time’s Up (A Maisie McGrane Mystery; 1), New York, N.Y.: Kensington Books, →ISBN, page 260:
   • When you find yourself dealing with someone who irritates you (and you find yourself getting gossipy, fingerpointy, judgy, complainey), rising up and confronting the situation can do a hell of a lot more than just making your life more pleasant in the long run; it can help you heal and grow and get out of victim mode. 2013 April 23, Jen Sincero, “Millions of Mirrors”, in You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, Philadelphia, Pa.: Running Press, →ISBN, part 4 (How to Get Over Your B.S. Already), page 179:

Forms