groan

[ grohn ]

/ groʊn /

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See synonyms for: groan / groaned / groaning on Thesaurus.com

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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of groan

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

synonym study 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM groan

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH groan

groan , grown

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use groan in a sentence

He took face-fulls of bear spray with no way to shield himself, and a video captured his agonizing groans and twisted face as the assault continued before he was finally freed and pulled back.
How battered D.C. police made a stand against the Capitol mob|Peter Hermann|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
There was a collective groan in the press box when two Giants jumped on Smith’s back and twisted him to the ground for their first sack of him on his second possession of the second quarter.
Alex Smith got his second chance. Now it’s time to give Dwayne Haskins his.|Kevin Blackistone|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
In the show, Sharp has Christopher rock back and forth, groaning, his hands over his ears.
The Brit Who Stormed Broadway|Tim Teeman|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Wilde lay groaning on the floor, his face covered with blood, his clothes torn to shreds.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And before he went over to talk to them, he came over to my office, and he was moaning and groaning.
What I'd Say to Lou Holtz|Michael Tomasky|January 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They listened with audible outrage, sighing and groaning in disbelief.
The Chutzpah of Radovan Karadzic|The Telegraph|October 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I watched per plunge directly into the groaning, writhing horde.
The Extinction Parade: An Original Zombie Story by Max Brooks|Max Brooks|January 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Tressan fell suddenly to groaning and wringing his hands a pathetic figure had it been less absurd.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
A poor old woman sat groaning over the fire, and two children crouched, half-clothed, on the bare floor.
The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge
Here the French kings reveled in voluptuousness, with their prisoners groaning beneath their feet.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
A sullen calm fell, and the smack rolled with clashing blocks and groaning spars, making night hideous.
The Chequers|James Runciman
Daisy was still groaning as Mogin put the car in first and sent it whizzing down the street.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various

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

groan

Origin of groan

synonym study for groan

OTHER WORDS FROM groan

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH groan

Words related to groan

How to use groan in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for groan

Derived forms of groan

Word Origin for groan