whining

American  

[wahy-ning, hwahy-] / ˈwaɪ nɪŋ, ˈʰwaɪ- /

adjective

1. uttering a nasal, complaining cry, as from peevishness, discontent, uneasiness, etc..

   If there’s one sound that makes me want to tear my ears off, it’s the sound of a whining tomcat.

   Our daughter has grown from a whining child on the first day of playgroup to one who asks to go even on Saturdays.

2. complaining in a petulant, self-pitying way.

   Those whining people who blame everyone and think everyone is against them need to grow up.

3. making or being a drawn-out, high-pitched sound.

   In courtship, the male of the white-eyed vireo displays to the female by fluffing its plumage, spreading its tail, and uttering a whining call.

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noun

1. the act or habit of crying or complaining in a peevish way.

   Can I give you a bit more work today if I have to, and not get any whining from you?

2. the act of making a drawn-out, high-pitched sound.

   A few hours later the whining of a chainsaw began.

Other Word Forms

• unwhining adjective
• unwhiningly adverb
• whiningly adverb

Etymology

Origin of whining

First recorded in 1400–50; whin(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; whin(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

He wasted no time whining about his losses, or imagining there was some way to recapture the ring’s value.

From Literature

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

From Salon

He has a few moments that play so close to comedy — say, whining to be let into the bathroom — that you wish the movie would do more to encourage our pained, guttural laughs.

From Los Angeles Times

Would you prefer for your team to be owned by someone whining about the Dodgers and their payroll, or someone dedicated to beating them?

From Los Angeles Times

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cranky
• fractious
• impatient
• irritable
• perverse
• sullen
• testy
• whiny