whine
Whine (verb) means to complain in an annoying, high-pitched or self-pitying way. Example: “The kids started whining about being bored halfway through the trip.”
How to use whine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo complain in an annoying, drawn-out way, or the sound this makes.
Not to be confused with "wine" (the drink) — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Word forms
whined past tense, whines plural, whine plural, whined plural, whines singular, whine singular, whined singular, whinest singular, whinedst singular, whineth singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The engine let out a high-pitched _____ before it finally stalled.
Etymology
From Old English hwinan, "to make a whistling or whizzing sound" — the meaning narrowed over time to focus on complaining.
Rhymes for whine
See all rhymes for 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.