kvetch
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Yiddish קוועטשן (kvetshn, literally “to squeeze, pinch”), from Middle High German quetschen (“crush, press”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /kvɛt͡ʃ/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E.
Audio: (file) - Rhymes: -ɛtʃ
Verb
kvetch (third-person singular simple present kvetches, present participle kvetching, simple past and past participle kvetched)
- to whine or complain, often needlessly and incessantly
- 1969, Philip Roth, Portnoy’s Complaint:
- Is this truth I’m delivering up, or is it just plain kvetching? Or is kvetching for people like me a form of truth?
- 2001, Glen David Gold, Carter Beats the Devil:
- Make a commitment, Charlie. Go with life or go with death, but quit the kvetching. Don’t keep us all in suspense.
Derived terms
- kvetcher (noun)
Translations
whine or complain, often needlessly and incessantly
|
See also
Noun
kvetch (plural kvetches)
- person who endlessly whines or complains; a person who finds fault with anything
- an instance of kvetching; a complaint or whine
Translations
person who endlessly whines or complains
|