groan

American  

[grohn] / groʊn /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• groaner noun
• groaning noun
• groaningly adverb
• undergroan noun
• ungroaning adjective

Etymology

Origin of groan

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

Example Sentences

The twins groaned and Danny nodded while stuffing his mouth full of pancakes before Freddy could take them from his plate.

From Literature

Some viewers took to social media to complain about what they saw as a bait-and-switch, or to relay that their fellow partygoers had let out collective groans and boos at the end of the ad.

From The Wall Street Journal

There was a tremendous groan and roar as they shot forward and up.

From Literature

"Just my luck," he groaned, throwing himself on his bed.

From Literature

Why are the patrons, transfixed by curious gladiating on a screen, screaming with delight one minute and groaning miserably the next?

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• grunt
• sigh
• sob
• whine