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

• whiningly adverb
• whiner noun
• 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

Let’s not whine “They did _______ to us in Europe” or “It’s the Ryder Cup, it’s different.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“No one deserves pity. Spare me your whining,” the video caption says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• gripe 
• moan 
• wail 
• whimper