groan

[ grohn ]

noun

1. a low, mournful sound uttered in pain or grief:

   the groans of dying soldiers.

2. a deep, inarticulate sound uttered in derision, disapproval, desire, etc.
3. a deep grating or creaking sound due to a sudden or continued overburdening, as with a great weight:

   We heard the groan of the ropes as the crane lowered the heavy cargo into the ship's hold.

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a deep, mournful sound expressive of pain or grief.
2. to make a deep, inarticulate sound expressive of derision, disapproval, desire, etc.
3. to make a sound resembling a groan; resound harshly:

   The steps of the old house groaned under my weight.

4. to be overburdened or overloaded.
5. to suffer greatly or lamentably:

   groaning under an intolerable burden.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or express with groans.

groan

/ ɡrəʊn /

noun

1. a prolonged stressed dull cry expressive of agony, pain, or disapproval
2. a loud harsh creaking sound, as of a tree bending in the wind
3. informal.
   a grumble or complaint, esp a persistent one

verb

1. to utter (low inarticulate sounds) expressive of pain, grief, disapproval, etc

   they all groaned at Larry's puns

2. intr to make a sound like a groan
3. intr, usually foll by beneath or under to be weighed down (by) or suffer greatly (under)

   the country groaned under the dictator's rule

4. informal.
   intr to complain or grumble

Derived Forms

• ˈgroaning, nounadjective
• ˈgroaningly, adverb

Other Words From

• groaner noun
• groaning·ly adverb
• under·groan noun
• un·groaning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of groan¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English gronen, Old English grānian; cognate with German greinen “to whine”

Word History and Origins

Origin of groan¹

Old English grānian ; related to Old Norse grīna, Old High German grīnan; see grin

Synonym Study

Groan, moan refer to sounds indicating deep suffering. A groan is a brief, strong, deep-throated sound emitted involuntarily under pressure of pain or suffering: The wounded man groaned when they lifted him. A moan is a prolonged, more or less continuous, low, inarticulate sound indicative of suffering, either physical or mental: She was moaning after the operation. She did not weep, but moaned softly.

Example Sentences

A clutch Davis triple on the other leading to a collective groan.

From Los Angeles Times

“He started to make groaning sounds. It was like he was in pain but he could not tell us he was in pain.”

From BBC

Just the sunny day causing an old building to creak and groan, or something uncanny?

From BBC

Ohtani had had a quiet outing, but the slightly thinned-out crowd belted out one last chant for his final at-bat, groaning loudly when the ball glanced off his left toe, leading to a walk.

From Los Angeles Times

Hinchcliffe, 40, was one of three dozen speakers at the rally, but stood out as one of the most offensive who drew groans from the crowd and backlash from both sides of the political aisle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cry
• grumble
• murmur
• sigh