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

“I want to go innnnnn,” he whines, and now all the kids and parents inside the room are looking.

From Literature

He whined a couple of times, moved back and forth as if he might be going to drag the team over the edge, then disappeared from view.

From Literature

Then it settled down and blew with a high whining sound.

From Literature

I could hear the childish whine in my voice and wished I could sound angry and indignant like Hannie instead.

From Literature

She whined a little and began to lick my face.

From Literature

Related Words

• gripe
• moan
• wail
• whimper