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

I groan at the realization that I’ll have to explain this, crumpling into Dara, who is nice enough to give me a hug.

From Literature

The elevator groans from down the hall, announcing Dad and Jonah’s arrival.

From Literature

He looked as though he’d just been about to hibernate, his body plump with food storage, and the chair groaned nervously beneath him.

From Literature

At the European Football Clubs' general assembly in October a subject cropped up which might well produce groans from supporters: adding another substitute.

From BBC

With each moment the crowd around us would swell, packing the nearby platforms, hanging over the edges, until the high structures groaned and swayed.

From Literature

Related Words

• grunt
• sigh
• sob
• whine