moan

American  

[mohn] / moʊn /

noun

1. 1. a prolonged, low sound uttered from physical or mental suffering.

   2. a prolonged, low sound uttered from any other strong physical or mental sensation, especially pleasure.

2. any prolonged, low sound.

   The alarming moan of the engines suggested they'd break down soon.

3. complaint or lamentation.

   Despite last year's moan about how much effort Christmas is, I'm feeling up to it this year.

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verb (used without object)

1. 1. to make a prolonged, low sound from physical or mental suffering.

   2. to make a prolonged, low sound from any other strong physical or mental sensation, especially pleasure.

   Synonyms:

   mourn , grieve

2. (of inanimate objects) to make a prolonged, low sound.

   The wind moaned through the trees.

3. to complain.

   I may moan about the weather here, but at least it doesn't get hot.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter (something) inarticulately or pitifully.

   He moaned his response.

2. to lament or express grief over; bemoan.

   It does no good to moan your position in life instead of taking action.

   Synonyms:

   deplore , mourn

moan British  

/ məʊn /

noun

1. a low prolonged mournful sound expressive of suffering or pleading

2. any similar mournful sound, esp that made by the wind

3. a grumble or complaint

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verb

1. to utter (words) in a low mournful manner

2. (intr) to make a sound like a moan

3. (usually intr) to grumble or complain (esp in the phrase moan and groan )

Related Words

See groan.

Other Word Forms

• moaner noun
• moanful adjective
• moanfully adverb
• moaning noun
• moaningly adverb
• unmoaned adjective
• unmoaning adjective

Etymology

Origin of moan

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English mone, man(e) (noun), Old English mān, unrecorded but inferred from its derivative mǣnan “to mourn”

Example Sentences

Manchester United did not have to play particularly well to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday, and Eagles boss Oliver Glasner moaned afterwards about the club's failure to bring players in over the summer.

From BBC

Johnson wants to usher people who moan that today’s movies aren’t any good back into his sacred space, the cinema.

From Los Angeles Times

Recent college graduates are moaning about their struggle to find jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mom’s anguished childbirth moaning segues to those of young women nearby having their babies ripped from their arms and thrown into a bonfire.

From Los Angeles Times

The second time I saw the road thriller “Sirāt,” I couldn’t wait to hear the audience moan.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• carp
• grieve
• gripe
• grumble
• mourn
• sigh
• sob
• wail