kvetch
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Yiddish קוועטשן (kvetshn, literally “to squeeze, pinch”), from Middle High German quetschen (“crush, press”).
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation, US, Canada) IPA(key): /kvɛt͡ʃ/
- (US)
(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.
- 1969, Philip Roth, Portnoy’s Complaint
Derived terms
- kvetcher (noun)
Translations
whine or complain, often needlessly and incessantly
See also
Noun
kvetch (plural kvetches)
Translations
person who endlessly whines or complains
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