verb
whimper
WIHM-puh
Whimper (verb) means to cry or make small, weak, broken sounds, usually from pain, fear, or distress. Example: “The puppy whimpered outside the door, wanting to be let in.”
verb
1
To cry or make small, weak, broken sounds, usually from pain, fear, or distress.
"The puppy whimpered outside the door, wanting to be let in."
"She whimpered softly as the nurse cleaned the wound."
noun
1
A soft, weak, broken sound of distress.
"A faint whimper came from the back seat as the car hit another bump."
How to use whimper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, weak crying sound, or the act of making one.
Common mistake
Often paired with the phrase "go out with a whimper" — a quiet, disappointing end rather than a dramatic one.
Common pairings
whimper in pain
a soft whimper
go out with a whimper
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Word forms
- Plural
- whimpers
- Third person singular
- whimpers
- Past tense
- whimpered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The puppy _____ outside the door, wanting to be let in.
Etymology
From an old dialect word whimp, meaning "to whine", with the frequentative ending -er added to suggest a repeated, ongoing sound.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “whimper” mean?
The word “whimper” means to cry or make small, weak, broken sounds, usually from pain, fear, or distress. In plain terms, a small, weak crying sound, or the act of making one.
How do you pronounce “whimper”?
“Whimper” is pronounced WIHM-puh (/ˈwɪmpə/ in IPA).
How do you use “whimper” in a sentence?
Here is “whimper” used in a sentence: “The puppy whimpered outside the door, wanting to be let in.”
What is another word for “whimper”?
Words with a similar meaning to “whimper” include mewl.
What part of speech is “whimper”?
Depending on how it is used, “whimper” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “whimper” have?
“Whimper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cry or make small, weak, broken sounds, usually from pain, fear, or distress.
