whine

1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wīn 

whined; whining

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

whiner noun

whine

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms of whine

Verb

• complain
• scream
• moan

Noun

• moan
• complaint
• bitch
• lament
• fuss
• grievance
• whimper
• grumble

Examples of whine in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

the whine of a jet engine

the perennial whine that movies aren't as good as they used to be

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Paige is little more than a dumb blonde stereotype, another underwritten female character in Sheridan’s growing oeuvre, but Chapman laces her babyish whining with surprising bite, while showing a knack for physical comedy. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026

Somewhere in the next hour after the field is announced, there will be contemplation and whining about the specter of the NCAA growing its postseason field, most likely to 76 teams. —Mac Engel march 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026

Noun

Village sounds of chickens and goats were pierced by the distant whine of commercial jets climbing out of Agadir’s international airport. —Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026

No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters. —Antonia Quirke, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English hwīnan to whiz; akin to Old Norse hvīna to whiz

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for whine

• brine
• cline
• dine
• fein
• fine
• gwine
• hine
• jain
• klein
• kline
• line
• mine

Kids Definition

whine

1 of 2 verb

ˈhwīn 

ˈwīn

whined; whining

1

: to make a shrill troubled cry or a similar sound

a child whining

the electric saw whined as it cut the wood

2

: to complain with or as if with a whine

always whining about his chores

whiner noun

whiningly

ˈhwī-niŋ-lē 

ˈwī-

adverb

whine

2 of 2 noun

1

: a whining cry or sound

2

: a complaint uttered with or as if with a whine

whiny

ˈhwi-nē, 

ˈwī-

adjective