groan

[ grohn ]

/ groʊn /

noun

a low, mournful sound uttered in pain or grief: the groans of dying soldiers.

a deep, inarticulate sound uttered in derision, disapproval, desire, etc.

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)

to utter a deep, mournful sound expressive of pain or grief.

to make a deep, inarticulate sound expressive of derision, disapproval, desire, etc.

to make a sound resembling a groan; resound harshly: The steps of the old house groaned under my weight.

to be overburdened or overloaded.

to suffer greatly or lamentably: groaning under an intolerable burden.

verb (used with object)

to utter or express with groans.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of groan

before 900; Middle English gronen, Old English grānian; cognate with German greinen to whine

SYNONYMS FOR groan

1 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.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR groan ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM groan

groan·er, noungroan·ing·ly, adverbun·der·groan, nounun·groan·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH groan

groan grown (see synonym study at the current entry)

Words nearby groan

grizzled, grizzling, grizzly, grizzly bear, gro., groan, groaner, groat, groats, grocer, groceries

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for groan

Immediately following the groan of disappointment, a conspiracy of silence began.
Banning Kahane Google App Won't Work|Zack Parker|July 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Copper mining is the most toxic form of metal mining in the United States, but you can only moan and groan about it so much.
Copper, the Metal That Runs the World: ‘Boom, Bust, Boom,’ by Bill Carter|Peter Madden|October 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I've been going by this billboard almost daily for the best part of a month, and it still makes me laugh, and groan.
The Prozac Costs Extra|Blake Gopnik|April 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Sure, if Romney finishes below 40 percent the media will moan and groan that he failed to meet expectations.
Will New Hampshire’s Primary Matter in the 2012 GOP Nomination Battle?|Howard Kurtz|January 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

When we hear a groan in the audience we know we did something right, because they get it.
Glenn Beck’s ‘Daily Show’ Is the Right’s Latest Bid at Funny|McKay Coppins|November 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I took off my coat and placed it under him, and held his head in my lap, in which position he died without a groan or a struggle.
History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2 (of 2)|George Washington Williams
Mr. Gracewood covered his face with his hand, and I heard him groan in bitterness of spirit.
Plane and Plank|Oliver Optic
“Groan yourself,” said Mr. Mix, and put a trembling finger on the headline.
Rope|Holworthy Hall
Look at me, marked until I die with his high displeasure; and moan and groan for what you made him!'
David Copperfield|Charles Dickens
I often think of poor Tom Hood as I scribble, rather than lie and groan.
Louisa May Alcott|Louisa May Alcott

British Dictionary definitions for groan

groan

/ (ɡrəʊn) /

noun

a prolonged stressed dull cry expressive of agony, pain, or disapproval

a loud harsh creaking sound, as of a tree bending in the wind

informal a grumble or complaint, esp a persistent one

verb

to utter (low inarticulate sounds) expressive of pain, grief, disapproval, etcthey all groaned at Larry's puns

(intr) to make a sound like a groan

(intr, usually foll by beneath or under) to be weighed down (by) or suffer greatly (under)the country groaned under the dictator's rule

(intr) informal to complain or grumble

Derived forms of groan

groaning, noun, adjectivegroaningly, adverb

Word Origin for groan

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

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WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

groan

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Origin of groan

SYNONYMS FOR groan

OTHER WORDS FROM groan

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH groan

Words nearby groan

Example sentences from the Web for groan

British Dictionary definitions for groan

noun

verb

Derived forms of groan

Word Origin for groan

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

groan

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Origin of groan

SYNONYMS FOR groan

OTHER WORDS FROM groan

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH groan

Words nearby groan

Words related to groan

Example sentences from the Web for groan

British Dictionary definitions for groan

noun

verb

Derived forms of groan

Word Origin for groan