whine

A long, high sound, often made by someone or an animal that is unhappy.

• The puppy gave a little whine.
• We heard the high whine of a motor.
• Her voice rose to a tired whine.

Similar words: whimper

Common phrases: high whine, low whine, whine of something

A complaint that sounds childish or shows too much pity for yourself.

• I had a whine about work.
• Nobody wanted to hear another whine about his salary.
• Her complaints sounded like the whines of a spoiled child.

How to use it: a whine about something (His latest whine about the food bored everyone.)

Similar words: complaint, moan

Common phrases: have a whine, whine about something, constant whine

To complain in an annoying, childish way.

• Please stop whining.
• He whined about the long wait.
• Do you always whine when things go wrong?

How to use it: whine about something (He whines about having too much homework.); whine that… (She whined that nobody listened to her.)

Similar words: complain, moan, grumble

Common phrases: whine about something, whine to someone

To make a long, high sound like an unhappy animal’s cry.

• The dog whined at the door.
• The engine was whining under the strain.
• A mosquito whines beside my ear every night.

Similar words: whimper, howl

Common phrases: whine softly, whine loudly, whine at something

To move while making a long, high sound.

• A jet whined overhead.
• Bullets whined through the trees.
• The little aircraft whined away into the clouds.

How to use it: whine past/through/into somewhere (A bullet whined past the window.)

Common phrases: whine past someone, whine through something, whine overhead