groan
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.
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.
to utter or express with groans.
Origin of groan
1synonym study For groan
Other words from groan
- groaner, noun
- groan·ing·ly, adverb
- un·der·groan, noun
- un·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
The Chinook vibrated with deeper and deeper groans until its twin engines managed to heave up our dead weight.
“I came here for him,” one woman groans, gesturing impatiently toward where the music is coming from.
Beyonce, Jay Z & No Doubt Sing to End Global Poverty in Central Park | Caitlin Dickson | September 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd though the camera never turns to the fallen woman, the microphone nonetheless captures her pained moans and groans.
11 News Anchor Flubs: Tom Brokaw on Ambien, Weather Penis, and More | Alec Kubas-Meyer | December 18, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTJust think of all the fun the political media will have with another Republican-on-Republican brawl, groans Fleischer.
Lean In, Liz Cheney, but Please Don’t Win That Senate Seat | Michelle Cottle | July 18, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAsked by Billy Bob Thornton about what happened to The Band, Helm half groans.
Behind the Levon Helm Biopic 'Ain't in It For My Health' | Jamie Malanowski | April 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
With creaks and groans in every joint the car discharged its six very dusty, very weary occupants.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O | Clair BlankI looked over, but all I saw was an indistinct mass at the bottom, while a few groans of its death-agony reached my ears.
Confessions of a Thug | Philip Meadows TaylorThe Jemadar fell beneath my own handkerchief, and a few shrieks and groans told the rest—all had died.
Confessions of a Thug | Philip Meadows TaylorThis savage play was quickly stilled, however, as groans of pain and shouts of furious anger came to us.
A Virginia Scout | Hugh PendexterThe scream was followed by a fall, a short scuffle, repeated stabbings, and violent breathing mixed with low groans.
Overland | John William De Forest
British Dictionary definitions for groan
/ (ɡrəʊn) /
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
to utter (low inarticulate sounds) expressive of pain, grief, disapproval, etc: they 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
Origin of groan
1Derived forms of groan
- groaning, noun, adjective
- groaningly, adverb
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
Browse