kvetch

1 of 2

verb

kvetched; kvetching; kvetches

intransitive verb

: to complain habitually : gripe
kvetcher noun

kvetch

2 of 2

noun

1
: a habitual complainer
2
kvetchy
ˈkve-chē How to pronounce kvetch (audio)
ˈkfe-
adjective

Examples of kvetch in a Sentence

Verb They're always kvetching about something. a chronically resentful person who seems to look for things to kvetch about Noun according to the kvetch on the bus tour, there was little about Europe that was satisfactory vainly hoped that his coworker would spare him another kvetch about being overworked
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Big swings in the East: For days leading up to the deadline, executives kvetched about the cost of acquiring relievers. Andy McCullough, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025 Reps for stars of all levels of fame have to navigate an ocean of possibilities; their job relies on knowing which TikToker their client ought to podcast with, show their apartment to, or kvetch with on the subway. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 May 2025
Noun
Should homeowners get frustrated, though, there’s always Waters to call for a good kvetch. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025 Hujar, played by Passages’ Ben Whishaw, and Rosenkrantz, played by Rebecca Hall, kvetch and gossip and discuss everything from food to art to mutual friends to New York City. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kvetch

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Yiddish kvetshn, literally, to squeeze, pinch, from Middle High German quetschen

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1950, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of kvetch was circa 1950

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kvetch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kvetch. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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