whine
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1whine
verb \ˈhwīn, ˈwīn\whinedwhin·ing
Definition of WHINE
intransitive verb
1
a : to utter a high-pitched plaintive or distressed cry b : to make a sound similar to such a cry <the wind whined in the chimney>
2
: to complain with or as if with a whine <always whining about the weather>
3
: to move or proceed with the sound of a whine <the bullet whined … across the ice — Berton Roueché>
transitive verb
: to utter or express with or as if with a whine
— whin·er noun
— whin·ing·ly \ˈhwī-niŋ-lē, ˈwī-\ adverb
See Examples of WHINE
- He's always whining about the weather.
- Quit whining and finish your dinner.
- “I want to leave now,” she whined.
- The workers were whining that the office was too cold.
- The dog was whining because it wanted to go out.
- The electric saw whined as it cut through the wood.
Origin of WHINE
Middle English, from Old English hwīnan to whiz; akin to Old Norse hvīna to whiz
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to WHINE
- Synonyms
- beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, complain, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl
2whine
nounDefinition of WHINE
1
a : a prolonged high-pitched cry usually expressive of distress or pain b : a sound resembling such a cry
2
: a complaint uttered with or as if with a whine
— whiny also whin·ey \ˈhwī-nē, ˈwī-\ adjective
Examples of WHINE
- the whine of a jet engine
- <the perennial whine that movies aren't as good as they used to be>
First Known Use of WHINE
1633
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