whine

[hwahyn, wahyn]

verb (used without object)

whined, whining 

1. to utter a low, usually nasal, complaining cry or sound, as from uneasiness, discontent, peevishness, etc..

   The puppies were whining from hunger.

   Synonyms: whimper, moan

2. to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way.

   He is always whining about his problems.

verb (used with object)

whined, whining 

1. to utter with or as if with a whine.

   I whined my litany of complaints.

noun

1. a whining utterance, sound, or tone.

2. a feeble, peevish complaint.

whine

/ waɪn /

noun

1. a long high-pitched plaintive cry or moan

2. a continuous high-pitched sound

3. a peevish complaint, esp one repeated

verb

1. to make a whine or utter in a whine

Other Word Forms

• whiner noun
• whiningly adverb
• whining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of whine¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English verb whinen “to groan in pain or distress; make animal sounds, whimper, whinny, squeal,” Old English hwīnan (of an arrow) “to whiz, buzz, hum”; cognate with Old Norse hvīna, of imitative origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of whine¹

Old English hwīnan; related to Old Norse hvīna, Swedish hvija to scream

Synonym Study

See complain.

Example Sentences

In a twitch, a head tilt or a whine, Indy communicates his emotions: curious, lonely, contented, confused, fretful, desperate or petrified.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He immediately came under fire within Israel, with opposition leader Yair Lapid writing: "Today saw a weary and whining Israeli prime minister, in a speech overloaded with overused gimmicks"

Read more on BBC

Always a sour type who liked to whine that he had always been treated unfairly, he nurtured a long list of grievances against a long list of perceived enemies.

Read more on Salon

Isn’t this a “First World problem,” a form of privileged whining or a self-indulgent bid for tea and sympathy?

Read more on Salon

But their over-the-top whining belies their true understanding.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• gripe 
• moan 
• wail 
• whimper