whine
[hwahyn, wahyn]
- to utter a low, usually nasal, complaining cry or sound, as from uneasiness, discontent, peevishness, etc.: The puppies were whining from hunger.
- to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way: He is always whining about his problems.
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- to utter with or as if with a whine: I whined my litany of complaints.
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- a whining utterance, sound, or tone.
- a feeble, peevish complaint.
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Origin of whine
before 1150; Middle English whinen (v.), Old English hwīnan to whiz; cognate with Old Norse hvīna
Synonyms
See more synonyms for whine on Thesaurus.com1. moan, whimper.
Synonym study
2. See complain.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for whined
Contemporary Examples
An hour later another outcast approached and whined his story.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the ShowRobert W. Chambers
February 20, 2014
Michael Sam has one big advantage over the aging NFL execs who whined to SI.
In the latest episode of Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Kardashian whined about West receiving public blame for her bad outfits.
Is Sheryl Sandberg Dodging The Fashion Question?; Vera Wang Charges Dress Try-On FeeThe Fashion Beast Team
March 25, 2013
Instead of taking the president's jokes with good grace, you fled the hotel ballroom in a huff and whined.
In his New Hampshire victory speech Romney whined that President Obama “divides us with the bitter politics of envy.”
Historical Examples
The last words of his speech he whined out in a lackadaisical tone.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
The latter regarded him wistfully, started away, then returned and whined softly.
White FangJack London
He whined pleadingly, and scurried playfully in and out of the underbrush.
White FangJack London
It whined unsteadily a few moments then broke off completely.
The Second VoiceMann Rubin
"And that's how I'm fixed," whined Squeaking Henry in conclusion.
Old Man CurryCharles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan
whine
- a long high-pitched plaintive cry or moan
- a continuous high-pitched sound
- a peevish complaint, esp one repeated
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- to make a whine or utter in a whine
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Word Origin
Old English hwīnan; related to Old Norse hvīna, Swedish hvija to scream
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for whined
whine
n.
1630s, from whine (v.).
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whine
v.
Old English hwinan "to whiz or whistle through the air" (only of arrows), also hwinsian "to whine" (of dogs), ultimately of imitative origin (cf. Old Norse hvina "to whiz," German wiehern "to neigh"). Meaning "to complain in a feeble way" is first recorded 1520s. Related: Whined; whining.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper