Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for moan on Thesaurus.com a prolonged, low, inarticulate sound uttered from or as if from physical or mental suffering. any similar sound: the moan of the wind. complaint or lamentation. Show More
verb (used without object) to utter moans, as of pain or grief. (of the wind, sea, trees, etc.) to make any sound suggestive of such moans: The wind moaned through the trees. Show More
to utter (something) inarticulately or pitifully, as if in lamentation: He moaned his response. to lament or bemoan: to moan one's fate. Show More
Origin of moan 1175–1225; Middle English mone, man(e ) (noun), Old English *mān, inferred from its derivative mǣnan to mourn
Related forms moan·ful , adjective moan·ful·ly , adverb moan·ing·ly , adverb un·moaned , adjective un·moan·ing , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for moaning sob ,
wail ,
sigh ,
carp ,
grumble ,
gripe ,
mourn ,
grieve ,
bewail ,
grouse ,
lament ,
whine ,
bemoan ,
keen ,
deplore Examples from the Web for moaning Contemporary Examples of moaning “Keep me coming, keep me going, keep me humming, keep me moaning ,” she pleads in the chorus.
Patients and employees were dazed, crying, and moaning , he said.
And before he went over to talk to them, he came over to my office, and he was moaning and groaning.
Malika turned back to Hossein, who was folded up in his chair and moaning softly.
The new fangled metal contraption left their animal wheezing, moaning , and screeching as only a horse does.
Historical Examples of moaning Now the wind came like a wolf down the Murchison Pass, howling and moaning .
Whenever the turnkey was coming he was groaning and moaning on the bed.
The oak tree beside it stood quieted of its moaning and tossing.
In the most pathetic way she dragged herself after me, moaning and beseeching for help.
A woman is holding her head and moaning and threatening to faint all over the place.
British Dictionary definitions for moaning a low prolonged mournful sound expressive of suffering or pleading any similar mournful sound, esp that made by the wind a grumble or complaint Show More
to utter (words) in a low mournful manner (intr) to make a sound like a moan (usually intr) to grumble or complain (esp in the phrase moan and groan ) Show More
Derived Forms moaner , noun moanful , adjective moaning , noun , adjective moaningly , adverb Word Origin for moan C13: related to Old English mǣnan to grieve over
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for moaning n. c.1200, "lamentation, mourning, weeping; complaining, the expressing of complaints; a complaint; lover's complaint; accusation, charge," probably from an unrecorded Old English *man "complaint," related to Old English mænan "complain, moan," also "tell, intend, signify" (see mean (v.1)); but OED discounts this connection. Meaning "long, low inarticulate murmur from some prolonged pain" is first recorded 1670s, "with onomatopoeic suggestion" [OED].
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v. mid-13c., "mourn (someone); regret, bewail;" c.1300, "to lament, grieve; utter moans;" probably from Old English *manan , related to mænan "to lament" (see moan (n.)). From 1724 as "to make a low, mournful sound." Related: Moaned ; moaning .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
