whine
10 synonyms for whine, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To complain in an annoying, high-pitched or self-pitying way.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To complain in an annoying, high-pitched or self-pitying way.
“The kids started whining about being bored halfway through the trip.”
2. noun
A long, high-pitched complaining sound or tone of voice.
“The engine let out a high-pitched whine before it finally stalled.”
How to use whine
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
whine about
stop whining
Etymology
From Old English hwinan, "to make a whistling or whizzing sound" — the meaning narrowed over time to focus on complaining.
Full origin of whine →Frequently asked questions
What does “whine” mean?
The word “whine” means to complain in an annoying, high-pitched or self-pitying way. In plain terms, to complain in an annoying, drawn-out way, or the sound this makes.
How do you pronounce “whine”?
“Whine” is pronounced WYN (/ˈwaɪ̯n/ in IPA).
How do you use “whine” in a sentence?
Here is “whine” used in a sentence: “The engine let out a high-pitched whine before it finally stalled.”
What part of speech is “whine”?
Depending on how it is used, “whine” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “whine” come from?
The word “whine” comes from Old English. From Old English hwinan, "to make a whistling or whizzing sound" — the meaning narrowed over time to focus on complaining.
Is “whine” a common word?
“Whine” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “whine” have?
“Whine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to complain in an annoying, high-pitched or self-pitying way.
