First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1whine
verb \ˈhwīn, ˈwīn\
: to complain in an annoying way
: to make a high, crying sound
: to make a high and unpleasant sound that continues for a long time
whinedwhin·ing
Full 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 whine defined for English-language learners
See whine defined for kids
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Origin of WHINE
Middle English, from Old English hwīnan to whiz; akin to Old Norse hvīna to whiz
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
noun
: a high and unpleasant sound that continues for a long time
Full Definition 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
See whine defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WHINE
1633
WHINER Defined for Kids
1whine
verb \ˈhwīn, ˈwīn\
whinedwhin·ing
Definition of WHINE for Kids
1
: to make a high-pitched troubled cry or a similar sound <He was so eager to join her I could hear him whining as he swam. — Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows>
2
: to complain by or as if by whining <“I always get blamed,” she whined.>
— whin·er \ˈhwī-nər, ˈwī-\ noun
2whine
noun
Definition of WHINE for Kids
: a high-pitched troubled or complaining cry or sound
Learn More About WHINE
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