whining

whining

A child is whining in the grocery store.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • The act of making a long, high-pitched complaining sound: "whining" refers to the vocalization of a prolonged, plaintive cry, often expressing discomfort, annoyance, or a desire for attention.
    • A persistent expression of discontent: "whining" also describes the behavior of complaining in an irritating, childish manner.

  2. Adjective:

    • Characterized by or given to whining: "whining" describes a person, tone, or sound that is marked by a high-pitched, complaining quality.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The dog's constant whining kept us awake all night. (The dog made a long, high-pitched sound of distress.)
    • His whining about the homework annoyed everyone in the class. (His persistent complaining irritated others.)

  • Adjective:

    • She spoke in a whining voice that grated on my nerves. (Her voice had a high-pitched, complaining tone.)
    • The whining child refused to stop until he got a toy. (The child was given to complaining in a childish manner.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be whining on/about something": to complain persistently and irritatingly.

    • Stop whining on about the weather; it's not that bad. (Stop complaining repeatedly and annoyingly about the weather.)

  • "a whining sound": a continuous, high-pitched noise, often from machinery or animals.

    • The whining sound of the engine indicated a mechanical problem. (The high-pitched noise from the engine signaled a fault.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Whine (verb/noun): the base form; to make a whining sound or a complaint.

    • The puppy began to whine when left alone. (The puppy made a high-pitched sound of distress.)
    • I'm tired of your constant whine about the rules. (I'm tired of your repeated complaints.)

  • Whiner (noun): a person who habitually whines.

    • He is such a whiner; nothing ever satisfies him. (He is a person who complains constantly.)
Synonyms
  • Complaining: expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance.
  • Moaning: making a low, prolonged sound of pain or complaint.
  • Crying: (for animals) making a high-pitched sound of distress.
Phrasal Verbs

  • Whine about: to complain persistently about something.

    • She always whines about her workload. (She complains constantly about her work.)

  • Whine on: to continue complaining in a tiresome manner.

    • He whined on and on about his lost phone. (He continued complaining for a long time.)
Related Idioms

  • To have a whine: to engage in a session of complaining.

    • Let's have a whine about our bosses over coffee. (Let's complain together about our bosses.)

  • Whine like a child: to complain in an immature, high-pitched manner.

    • He whined like a child when he didn't get his way. (He complained childishly when he was denied something.)