kvetch

Alternative forms

• kvitch

Etymology

From Yiddish קוועטשן‎ (kvetshn) (literally, "to squeeze, pinch"), from Middle High German quetschen (“crush, press”).

Pronunciation

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /kvɛt͡ʃ/
• Rhymes: -ɛtʃ

Verb

kvetch (third-person singular simple present kvetches, present participle kvetching, simple past and past participle kvetched)

1. 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.

Noun

kvetch (plural kvetches)

1. Person who endlessly whines or complains; a person who finds fault with anything.
2. An instance of kvetching; a complaint or whine.