moan
Americannoun
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moans
plural
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a prolonged, low sound uttered from physical or mental suffering.
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a prolonged, low sound uttered from any other strong physical or mental sensation, especially pleasure.
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any prolonged, low sound.
The alarming moan of the engines suggested they'd break down soon.
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complaint or lamentation.
Despite last year's moan about how much effort Christmas is, I'm feeling up to it this year.
verb (used without object)
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moans,
present (3rd person singular)
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moaned,
past participle, past
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moaning
present participle
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to make a prolonged, low sound from physical or mental suffering.
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to make a prolonged, low sound from any other strong physical or mental sensation, especially pleasure.
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(of inanimate objects) to make a prolonged, low sound.
The wind moaned through the trees.
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to complain.
I may moan about the weather here, but at least it doesn't get hot.
verb (used with object)
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moans,
present (3rd person singular)
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moaned,
past participle, past
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moaning
present participle
noun
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a low prolonged mournful sound expressive of suffering or pleading
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any similar mournful sound, esp that made by the wind
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a grumble or complaint
verb
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to utter (words) in a low mournful manner
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(intr) to make a sound like a moan
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(usually intr) to grumble or complain (esp in the phrase moan and groan )
Synonym Usage
See groan.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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moanernoun
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moaningnoun
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moanfuladjective
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unmoanedadjective
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unmoaningadjective
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moanfullyadverb
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moaninglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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moansimple
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moanssimple
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have moanedperfect
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has moanedperfect
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am moaningprogressive
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are moaningprogressive
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is moaningprogressive
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have been moaningperfect progressive
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has been moaningperfect progressive
Past
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moanedsimple
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had moanedperfect
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was moaningprogressive
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were moaningprogressive
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had been moaningperfect progressive
Future
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”
Explanation
The low sound you make when you're in pain is called a moan. A bad stomachache can leave you bent over, making soft moans. Moan is also a verb, so whenever someone is hurting enough — physically or mentally — there's the possibility they'll moan in despair or discomfort. You can also use this word to mean "whine" or "complain," like when your little sister moans about how much smaller her slice of pie is than yours. Experts think moan is related to the Old English word mænan, "complain or moan," but that it's also imitative — resembling the sound it describes.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The audience appears to hang on her every word, shout and moan, erupting in explosive applause as she utters the play’s last lines, arms extended ecstatically to the crowd.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
“Otherwise, you sit there and moan and groan and don’t vote. They’re going to do what they want,” David Goodman said.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
He meets the younger singer on her turf: The track is a theatrical pop confection with a busy, singsong melody, and Mr. Smith’s ageless cracked moan makes him sound like an approving father figure.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026
The second time I saw the road thriller “Sirāt,” I couldn’t wait to hear the audience moan.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2025
With a moan, Gurgi rolled over on his back and covered his face with his arms.
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
While most modern disciplines are friendly contests, the shin-kicking elicited winces and moans of sympathy from the crowd of more than 2,500 spectators on Friday.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
Fennell begins on a black screen and the sound of creaks and moans.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2026
“Why am I getting involved with a cinephile?” moans Beau-Beau, speaking for many an indie producer to follow.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025
Phyllis, who always sees herself as the victim and not the aggressor, moans.
From New York Times ● Apr. 25, 2024
Victorious, he takes a bite of donut, then moans theatrically.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
“It’s my trick ankle,” I moaned, adding that I’d had this surgery before, after a snow skiing accident in my late 20s.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Many in the audience laughed and applauded, when they should have gasped or moaned.
From Slate ● Sep. 10, 2026
She sang open-throated declarations, recited broken poetic verses, scatted with the authority of a jazz singer, moaned with bluesy intent, and occasionally let loose an unbridled shriek or giggle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026
He added: "As farmers we've always moaned about the weather, but these extremes are a real challenge."
From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2026
“Dad,” he said, and the figure moaned in the grass.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
But do we want to sit there moaning about it?
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
Here, Fay Victor, a uniquely daring and creative singer, adorns her vocal with all manner of creaking, wailing, moaning and scatting, yet she maintains Bey’s feeling of directing a congregation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
The director’s moaning score here, supplemented with sputtering engines and clanking chains, underline the movie’s ghost-story vibe — the sense that poor Nick is both alive and dead.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
“Get me rewrite!” he seems to be moaning.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
As they passed the car in which he sat, Ben could hear Blakeley moaning to the recruits who bore him toward the garbage, “Help me. Please help me. I’m only wounded.”
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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