View synonyms for whine

whine

[ wahyn, hwahyn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

, whined, whin·ing.

to utter a low, usually nasal, complaining cry or sound, as from uneasiness, discontent, peevishness, etc.:
The puppies were whining from hunger.
Synonyms: moan, whimper
to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way:
He is always whining about his problems.

verb (used with object)

, whined, whin·ing.

to utter with or as if with a whine:
I whined my litany of complaints.

noun

a whining utterance, sound, or tone.
a feeble, peevish complaint.

whine

/ waɪn /

noun

a long high-pitched plaintive cry or moan
a continuous high-pitched sound
a peevish complaint, esp one repeated

verb

to make a whine or utter in a whine

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Derived Forms

ˈwhiningly, adverb
ˈwhiner, noun
ˈwhining, adjective

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Other Words From

whin·er noun

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of whine¹

Old English hwīnan; related to Old Norse hvīna, Swedish hvija to scream

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Synonym Study

See complain.

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