whine

American  

[hwahyn, wahyn] / ʰwaɪn, waɪn /

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.

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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 British  

/ waɪn /

noun

1. a long high-pitched plaintive cry or moan

2. a continuous high-pitched sound

3. a peevish complaint, esp one repeated

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verb

1. to make a whine or utter in a whine

Related Words

See complain.

Other Word Forms

• whiner noun
• whining adjective
• whiningly adverb

Etymology

Origin of whine

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

Example Sentences

Behind me, I hear Tyler whine, “I didn’t get invited.”

From Literature

The whine of the alarms clashes sharply with the chill reggae music.

From Literature

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

From Literature

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

From Literature

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

From BBC

Related Words

• gripe
• moan
• wail
• whimper