moan

[mohn]

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.

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

/ 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

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 )

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of moan¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of moan¹

C13: related to Old English mǣnan to grieve over

Synonym Study

See groan.

Example Sentences

Training with his uncle meant he could not "moan or fuss", and he said he was treated the same way as all the other boxers at the gym in Essex.

From BBC

Afterwards, Ms Imrie described how the carriage was "plunged into darkness" and "the moans and really quiet noises started at first and then grew louder".

From BBC

He was highly critical of Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill after losing to Wales in 2018, and told him to "stop moaning", , external adding: "They don't have a clue what they are doing."

From BBC

Editor Stephen Mirrione cheekily layers Robert Plant’s ecstatic moans over a shot of a pit crew’s air gun having its way with a set of lug nuts.

From Los Angeles Times

He replies to the line ‘Put the load right on me’ just a second late, with a fervent ‘meeee’ more of a soulful moan.

From Salon

Related Words

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