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

He’s closer to the verbal creature in Shelley’s novel than the moaning depictions on-screen.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And that their persecution from the beyond was going to be more severe than mere moaning in the halls or chains rattling in the attic.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Navalny was brought back to his cell, his wife said, where he lay down on the ground, pulled his legs up to his stomach and began to moan from pain.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I think what you would say about Craig, and a lot of people wouldn't see it, is his professionalism," adds Given, who once joked Bellamy "probably moans in his sleep".

Read more on BBC

Likewise, Bob can’t recall the code words he needs to ask the underground for help: “I’ve fried my brain, man,” he moans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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