Whiny means annoyingly complaining, especially in a high-pitched voice. Whiney means the same as whiny, but it’s an uncommon alternative spelling. Whinny is the low or gentle neighing of a horse.

"Whiny" describes a person or behavior characterized by persistent complaining or a high-pitched, annoying tone, often associated with children. On the other hand, "whiney" is considered a less common variant and may be viewed as a misspelling in formal contexts.

Whiney is often used as a proper noun, such as a place name or surname. It is less commonly encountered in everyday conversation unless referring to a specific Whiney location or person. In contrast, whiny is an adjective describing a person's behavior, particularly someone who complains in a high-pitched or annoying tone.

When describing a person or people who complain in a petulant manner, whiny is the only correct spelling. Its counterpart, whiney, is a spelling error. For the sound a horse makes, choose whinny. If a horse’s vocalizations are plaintive or accusatory, they may be whiny whinnies.