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”

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

To mention the most popular moan, the silver screen has been losing its monopoly on displaying moving pictures since the arrival of TV in the 1940s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

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 • Nov. 25, 2025

She didn't get an invitation to the coronation of her ex-brother-in-law, but didn't moan about it.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

His comment: Fans often moan when their GM moves down, but Seahawks fans are used to it.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 9, 2024

The wind blew a low, plaintive moan, the beginning note of a lamenting song.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Related Words

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