kvetch

1 of 2

verb

kvetched; kvetching; kvetches

intransitive verb

: to complain habitually : gripe
kvetcher noun

kvetch

2 of 2

noun

1
: a habitual complainer
2
kvetchy
ˈkve-chē How to pronounce kvetch (audio)
ˈkfe-
adjective

Examples of kvetch in a Sentence

Verb They're always kvetching about something. a chronically resentful person who seems to look for things to kvetch about Noun according to the kvetch on the bus tour, there was little about Europe that was satisfactory vainly hoped that his coworker would spare him another kvetch about being overworked
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Of course, had it been nominated, there would have been plenty of kvetching. Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 July 2024 John Rochette balances the darkness and goofiness of awful Orin, and Mark Ferrera kvetches with aplomb as Mr. Mushnik, the owner of the flower shop. Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2024
Noun
While this might sound like a saucy kvetch mid strenuous workout, for many in his audience the reference was unmissable. Callahan Tormey, Town & Country, 8 May 2022 What's your favorite subject to kvetch about and why? Jessica Gelt, latimes.com, 4 May 2018 See all Example Sentences for kvetch 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kvetch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Yiddish kvetshn, literally, to squeeze, pinch, from Middle High German quetschen

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1950, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of kvetch was circa 1950

Dictionary Entries Near kvetch

Cite this Entry

“Kvetch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kvetch. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!