Definition of 'whine'

Word Frequency

whine

(hwaɪn )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense whines , present participle whining , past tense, past participle whined

1. verb

If something or someone whines, they make a long, high-pitched noise, especially one which sounds sad or unpleasant.

He could hear her dog barking and whining in the background. [VERB]

The engines whined. [VERB]

Synonyms: cry, sob, wail, whimper More Synonyms of whine

Whine is also a noun.

...the whine of air-raid sirens. [+ of]

2. verb

If you say that someone is whining, you mean that they are complaining in an annoying way about something unimportant.

[disapproval]

They come to me to whine about their troubles. [VERB + about]

...children who whine that they are bored. [VERB that]

'Why can't you tell me?' I whined. [VERB with quote]

It's just a scratch. Stop whining. [VERB]

...a pleading, whining voice. [VERB-ing]

More Synonyms of whine

whine in British English

(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

Derived forms

whiner (ˈwhiner)

noun

whining (ˈwhining)

adjective

whiningly (ˈwhiningly)

adverb

Word origin

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

Word Frequency

whine in American English

(hwaɪn ; waɪn )

verb intransitiveWord forms: whined or ˈwhining

to utter a peevish, high-pitched, somewhat nasal sound, as in complaint, distress, or fear

to make a prolonged, high-pitched sound like this

to complain or beg in a childishly undignified way, as with a whine

verb transitive

to utter with or as with a whine

noun

the act or sound of whining

a complaint uttered in a whining tone

Derived forms

whiner (ˈwhiner)

noun

whiningly (ˈwhiningly)

adverb

Word origin

ME whinen < OE hwinan, akin to ON hvina < IE base *wei-, to whiz, hiss > whistle, whisper

Word Frequency

whine in American English

(hwain, wain) (verb whined, whining)

intransitive verb

to utter a low, usually nasal, complaining cry or sound, as from uneasiness, discontent, peevishness, etc

The puppies were whining from hunger

to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way

He is always whining about his problems

transitive verb

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

Derived forms

whiner

noun

whiningly

adverb

Word origin

[bef. 1150; ME whinen (v.), OE hwīnan to whiz; c. ON hvīna]

Examples of 'whine' in a sentence
whine

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Listen to them now, whining about unfairness as the problem is put right.So what are this wealthy lot whining about?Time and again we hear of them whining that things were better at their clubs.Her constant whining about missing him sorely tempted me to ask why on earth she had come.As they heard the whine of the foreign machine fade they were flooded with despair.It was the only place that she would spend the night without moaning and whining for her absent mistress.Bosses put on the customary sad face and whine about being forced to pass on increases because their own costs have rocketed.So she's had good reason to whine and moan.See if we can't get to the bottom of the strange whining noise.Needless to say, some of the parents are moaning and whining.