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whine

verb

/waɪn/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of whine

To complain, whimper, or express dissatisfaction in a high-pitched, nasal, or irritating tone of voice.
"She would often whine about her workload, seeking sympathy from her colleagues."

Detailed meaning of whine

It involves producing a repeated, often melodramatic, and annoying sound to express one's displeasure, discontent, or frustration. When someone whines, they typically do so in a manner that is perceived as nagging, grumbling, or seeking attention. Whining can stem from a variety of reasons, including dissatisfaction with a situation, wanting something one does not have, or seeking sympathy or validation. It often conveys a sense of annoyance, petulance, or a lack of resilience. While sometimes associated with children, whining can occur in individuals of any age and is characterized by a vocalization that seeks to elicit a response or change the circumstances.

Example sentences containing whine

1. The child started to whine when his ice cream fell on the ground.
2. The dog would whine at the door when it wanted to go outside.
3. He would whine incessantly whenever he didn't get his way.
4. The customer began to whine about the service, demanding to speak to the manager.
5. She couldn't stand the sound of her sibling's constant whining.
6. The cat would whine for food every morning, regardless of the time.

History and etymology of whine

The verb 'whine,' in the sense of complaining or expressing dissatisfaction in a high-pitched, nasal, or irritating tone of voice, has its origins in the Middle English word 'whynen.' This term can be traced back to the Old English word 'hwīnan,' which meant to make a whizzing or whirring sound. Over time, 'whine' evolved to describe the sound produced when someone complains or expresses discontent in a manner that is often seen as annoying or petulant. This word captures both the auditory and emotional aspects of such behavior, highlighting the tone and quality of the vocalization as well as the sense of dissatisfaction conveyed.

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Further usage examples of whine

1. He would whine about the rainy weather, wishing for sunny days.
2. The student would whine about every assignment, finding fault with each task.
3. The tired toddler would whine and cry when it was time for bed.
4. She would often whine to her friends about her lack of romantic prospects.
5. He couldn't help but whine when his favorite TV show was canceled.
6. He continued to whine about the rainy weather ruining his plans.
7. She would always whine when asked to do her chores.
8. The toddler began to whine when he dropped his toy.
9. He tends to whine when things don't go his way.
10. Stop the constant whining; it's driving me crazy!
11. She couldn't help but whine about her long work hours.
12. The students started to whine about the difficult assignment.
13. Don't whine about the traffic; we'll get there eventually.
14. Whenever he loses, he's quick to whine and make excuses.
15. The cat began to whine for attention.
16. I had to endure his whining throughout the entire movie.
17. She would whine for hours if she didn't get dessert.
18. He's always the first to whine when there's a problem.
19. She couldn't resist the urge to whine about her cold coffee.
20. The dog would whine whenever it was left alone.
21. Stop whining and take action to solve the issue.
22. He'd rather whine than put in the effort to improve.
23. She would whine endlessly about her annoying coworker.
24. The kids began to whine as bedtime approached.
25. I can't stand his constant whining; it's so irritating.