whining
Americanadjective
-
uttering a nasal, complaining cry, as from peevishness, discontent, uneasiness, etc..
If there’s one sound that makes me want to tear my ears off, it’s the sound of a whining tomcat.
Our daughter has grown from a whining child on the first day of playgroup to one who asks to go even on Saturdays.
-
complaining in a petulant, self-pitying way.
Those whining people who blame everyone and think everyone is against them need to grow up.
-
making or being a drawn-out, high-pitched sound.
In courtship, the male of the white-eyed vireo displays to the female by fluffing its plumage, spreading its tail, and uttering a whining call.
noun
-
the act or habit of crying or complaining in a peevish way.
Can I give you a bit more work today if I have to, and not get any whining from you?
-
the act of making a drawn-out, high-pitched sound.
A few hours later the whining of a chainsaw began.
Other Word Forms
- unwhining adjective
- unwhiningly adverb
- whiningly adverb
Etymology
Origin of whining
First recorded in 1400–50; whin(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; whin(e) ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun senses
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He went on to criticize the former president for “whining,” “complaining” and playing “the victim card.”
From New York Times
Locally, it’s manifested more as the sort of foot-dragging, whining and general reluctance to change that we’ve seen in Manhattan Beach.
From Los Angeles Times
Your burden is also your blessing: While others are whining about the long line at Starbucks, you are already fully awake and inhabiting your salty humanity.
From Washington Post
“These were big tech companies like Roku whining and crying about their uninsured deposits,” she said.
From New York Times
Their superpower this time around is whining at the tops of their voices.
From Seattle Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
