moan

[ mohn ]

/ moʊn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR moan ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

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.

verb (used with object)

to utter (something) inarticulately or pitifully, as if in lamentation: He moaned his response.

to lament or bemoan: to moan one's fate.

Nearby words

moa hunter, moab, moabite, moabite stone, moai, moan, moat, mob, mob-handed, moba, mobcap

Origin of moan

1175–1225; Middle English mone, man(e) (noun), Old English *mān, inferred from its derivative mǣnan to mourn

SYNONYMS FOR moan

1 See groan.

4 grieve.

4, 7 mourn.

7 deplore.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR moan ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

moan·ful, adjectivemoan·ful·ly, adverbmoan·ing·ly, adverbun·moaned, adjective

un·moan·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for moaning

“Keep me coming, keep me going, keep me humming, keep me moaning,” she pleads in the chorus.
‘Beyoncé’ Review: Genius…and Dripping of Sex|Kevin Fallon|December 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Patients and employees were dazed, crying, and moaning, he said.
They Saw It Coming: Life in West, Texas, After the Boom|Christine Pelisek|April 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And before he went over to talk to them, he came over to my office, and he was moaning and groaning.
What I'd Say to Lou Holtz|Michael Tomasky|January 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Malika turned back to Hossein, who was folded up in his chair and moaning softly.
When Everything Changed|Gayle Tzemach Lemmon|March 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST

The new fangled metal contraption left their animal wheezing, moaning, and screeching as only a horse does.
Shut Up, Scarlett!|Stanley Crouch|December 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST
When shall we know whether they are dead or alive, whether strong and healthy or moaning upon a bed in hospital?
Six Women and the Invasion|Gabrielle Yerta
At length, when the moaning ceased, he sprang to his feet and ran like a nymph with swift outstretched toes.
Old Indian Legends|Zitkala-Sa
There came a series of moaning sobs across the wire; the girl had evidently broken down and was crying.
Ashton-Kirk, Investigator|John T. McIntyre
He cowered, with face averted, moaning like an animal in pain.
'Tween Snow and Fire|Bertram Mitford
Parson John passed a restless night, moaning much from the pain in his shoulder.
The Fourth Watch|H. A. Cody

British Dictionary definitions for moaning

moan

/ (məʊn) /

noun

a low prolonged mournful sound expressive of suffering or pleading

any similar mournful sound, esp that made by the wind

a grumble or complaint

verb

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)

Derived Forms

moaner, nounmoanful, adjectivemoaning, noun, adjectivemoaningly, 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012