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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Mike Myers joined Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph for some kvetching and kvelling. snl50 Yesterday at 11:01 p.m. Meryl Streep Breaks and Says ‘Little Pervs’ in Her First SNL Appearance Further proof that nobody — not even our greatest living actress — can survive Kate McKinnon’s paranormal sketch. Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025 The movie simply wants to pay respect to their in-jokes and kvetching and observations. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
Hujar, played by Passages’ Ben Whishaw, and Rosenkrantz, played by Rebecca Hall, kvetch and gossip and discuss everything from food to art to mutual friends to New York City. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for kvetch

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

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Cite this Entry

“Kvetch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kvetch. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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