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

“Stop it,” I whine, batting her arm away.

Read more on Literature

Even as their nemesis prowled the nursery, the Horrible Incorrigibles whined, punched, dueled, and pirouetted all the way to the bakehouse.

Read more on Literature

The beasts sniffed and whined, but one by one, they lay down flat on their bellies.

Read more on Literature

Then comes the mosquito-like whine of the incoming Russian drones, massing in their hundreds just above the clouds.

Read more on BBC

He’s well-off but constantly whining about how much debt he’s drowning in.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• gripe 
• moan 
• wail 
• whimper