whine

IPA/waɪn/
KK[wˈaɪn]IPA/waɪn/

whine — verb

  • whinepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • whineshe / she / it
  • whinedpast simple
  • whining-ing form

1. to produce a long, high-pitched sound showing that a person or animal is in pain

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to produce a long, high-pitched sound showing that a person or animal is in pain, unhappy, or wants attention

例句

The puppy whined by the door until Ari finally let him out into the garden.

Elena's dog always whines when it hears the sound of thunder during a storm.

animal sound triggered by fear

同義詞
  • cry

    more general; can be louder and more emotional

  • howl

    a longer, louder, more continuous sound, typical of wolves

  • whimper

    a softer, weaker sound of fear or pain

文法句型

whine (at/by something)

whine + for something

用法筆記

Commonly used for dogs, but can also describe inanimate objects (floorboards, doors, hinges) that produce a similar high-pitched creak.

常見錯誤

❌The dog wine when I left the house.
✅The dog whined when I left the house.
💡'whine' is spelled with an 'h' and is not the same as 'wine' (a drink).

2. to express annoyance or unhappiness in a high voice, usually in a way that other

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to express annoyance or unhappiness in a high voice, usually in a way that other people find irritating, often about things that are not very important

例句

Theo whined about having to do the dishes every single evening.

whine + about [something]

"But I wanted the blue one!" little Maja whined, stomping her foot on the floor.

direct speech + whined as reporting verb

同義詞
  • complain

    neutral; can be done calmly or in a reasonable way

  • moan

    similar informal tone but often implies a longer, less focused expression of dissatisfaction

  • grumble

    to complain quietly, often to oneself, without a loud voice

反義詞
  • praise

    to express approval or admiration

  • accept

    to willingly take a situation as it is

文法句型

whine + about something

whine + that-clause

用法筆記

This sense carries a strongly negative tone. It implies the speaker finds the complainer childish or unreasonable. Unlike 'complain', which can be neutral, 'whine' always suggests the complaint is annoying.

常見錯誤

❌He whined me about the long queue.
✅He whined about the long queue.
💡'whine' is intransitive; you cannot whine someone directly.
❌She whined to the manager for a refund.' (if she was polite)
✅She complained to the manager about the faulty product.
💡Use 'complain' for polite or formal situations.

3. to make a continuous high-pitched sound while moving or operating, typical of en

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to make a continuous high-pitched sound while moving or operating, typical of engines, machines, or fast-moving vehicles

例句

The ambulance siren whined as it sped through the narrow city streets.

vehicle + whine through [location]

Eli's laptop fan whined loudly whenever he tried to run video-editing software.

device making sound under load

同義詞
  • hum

    a lower, steady, often pleasant sound

  • buzz

    a vibrating sound with a lower pitch

  • scream

    louder and more intense, used for extreme speeds or strain

反義詞
  • purr

    a smooth, quiet sound of an engine running well

文法句型

whine (through/across/down something)

whine as [event]

用法筆記

Often describes a sound that signals strain, high speed, or mechanical trouble. If a machine 'whines', it may mean it needs repair or is being pushed too hard.

常見錯誤

❌The car whined up the hill.' (should be 'whined as it went up the hill')
✅The car engine whined as it climbed the steep hill.
💡The noise comes from the engine, not the car itself.

whine — noun