carping
|car-ping|
🇺🇸
/ˈkɑrpɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈkɑːpɪŋ/
(carp)
fish; complain
Etymology
'carp' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'carpen', where the ancestral Northern Germanic source was Old Norse 'karpa'.
'carp' changed from Middle English 'carpen' (meaning to chatter or boast) and eventually became the modern English verb 'carp' with senses including 'find fault' and the noun 'carping'.
Initially, it meant 'to chatter or boast', but over time it evolved into the current sense of 'to complain or find fault' and the noun meaning 'petty criticism'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
petty, continual complaining or fault-finding; the act of making trivial or nagging criticisms.
His constant carping about the office temperature annoyed his coworkers.
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Verb 1
present participle form of 'carp' — to complain, find fault, or make petty criticisms.
Stop carping and offer a solution instead.
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Adjective 1
given to petty or persistent fault-finding; difficult to please; constantly criticizing.
Her carping remarks about the menu spoiled the mood of the dinner.
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Last updated: 2025/09/11 12:10