Whine
/waɪn/ or /hwaɪn/
Definition
The meaning: To whine is to complain in a whiny or annoying voice, often about something trivial. It can also refer to a long, high-pitched sound, such as that made by a dog.
To whine signifie se plaindre d'une manière lancinante ou agaçante, souvent à propos de quelque chose d'insignifiant. Cela peut également désigner un long son aigu, comme celui émis par un chien.
Example: "The children were whining all day about wanting to watch TV."
Word Analysis
- In French
-
- Se plaindre
- Gemir
- Ronchonner
- Radoter
- Se lamenter
- Synonyms
-
- Complain
- Grumble
- Moan
- Whimper
- Fret
- Antonyms
-
- Rejoice
- Celebrate
- Exult
- Triumph
- Revel
Example Dialogue
Tokoloho: "Ugh, why is the printer always jamming when I need it the most?" Boipuso: "Hey, don't whine about it. Let's try to fix it together." Tokoloho: "You're right. It's just that it's a pain in the arse…
Etymology
Origin: The exact origin of the verb "to whine" is uncertain, but it likely emerged sometime in the 1500s. It's believed to be related to the Old English word "hwīnan," which meant "to whimper" or "to cry." The association with complaining in a high-pitched or annoying voice developed over time. Whine didn't acquire its "complain" meaning until the 16th century.
Audience
The word is a common and widely understood term in everyday English. It is used across various social settings, from casual conversations to more formal situations.
When to avoid: While whine is generally understood, it's considered an informal and somewhat negative term. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings, especially when addressing superiors or in written communication.
Dictionary Meaning
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the verb whine means to make a long, high, sad sound. It goes on to say that 'if you whine, especially as a child, you complain or express disappointment or unhappiness repeatedly.' Today's generation would define it as follows: 'to carp or to bitch about something.'
News Snippet
"Even if they whine and grumble, we will never stop being concerned about their conduct. They are, after all, funded by taxpayers. So they should not run our football association as if it’s their personal fiefdom. [Lesotho Times]
Read the Full Article
Extra! Extra!
Today is Whiner's Day, by the way.
I'll never forget the joke we used to tell as kids (and even as adults, sometimes) which goes: 'what did the grape say when someone stepped on it?' And the answer? 'It let out a little whine. There's actually a book out there, by the way, called Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life. Lastly, this poem by James Merril uses our word of the day.
WordReference
When exploring the nuances of words, sometimes dictionaries don't provide enough context. The WordReference Forums offer insightful discussions that delve into the subtleties of language, including idiomatic expressions, usage nuances, and translations across languages.
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English⇄French Forum–Explore translations and language nuances.
Synonyms⇄Antonyms Forum–Contextual variations, etc.
Common Idioms and Expressions
Whine about : Complain about someone or something.
Cheese with that whine: Said to someone who's seen to complain too much.
Whine out: Utter a complaint in an irritating, peevish voice.
Whiner: A person given to excessive and constant whining.
Photo credit: [[File:Crying-girl.jpg|thumb|Maybe instead of crying, whining, and throwing your toys out of the pram when we see paid editors, we should all just calm down and be reasonable.]]
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