groan Hear it!

groan Definition

groan (grōn)

intransitive verb

  1. to utter a deep sound expressing pain, distress, or disapproval
  2. to make a creaking or grating sound, as from great strain a heavy gate groaning on its hinges
  3. to be weighed down or overburdened as to the point of groaning a table groaning beneath a Christmas feast, a people that groaned under tyranny

Etymology: ME gronien < OE granian, akin to grin, Ger greinen, to weep

transitive verb

to utter with a groan or groans

noun

a sound made in groaning

groan Related Forms

groaner noun groan·ingly adverb

groan Synonyms

groan

n.

moan, sob, grunt; see cry 1.

groan Synonyms

groan

v.

moan, murmur, keen; see cry 1.

groan Usage Examples

Object

  • noise: At this stage he was making gurgling groaning noises.
  • cannot: We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Converse of object

hear: Did I hear a groan from you, too?

Preposition: at

thought: Our legs groaned at the mere thought of it.

Adjective modifier

  • loud: Their reverie was broken by a loud groan from behind them.
  • collective: And I'm going to ignore that collective groan I think I just heard.
  • deep: The air tore into his lungs and issued again in deep groans which even by clenching his teeth he could not stop.

Modifying Another Word

  • inwardly: Some weary priests might groan inwardly at the prospect of several hours per week in the confessional.
  • aloud: Others, meanwhile, were lying prostrate on the floor, some of them groaning aloud for perfect deliverance.. .
  • loudly: Miss Clarke had previously heard Mrs U crying and groaning loudly for 50 minutes before Ms Hughes went to attend to her.
  • again: This course worked well, and Tom began to groan again.

Used with why or when

when: Although I can see my elderly cat and husband groaning when the next level arrives as I practice on them.

Preposition: in

  • travail: For we know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail until now... " ( Rom.
  • pain: This is the world that God has chosen to make a creation that groans in labor pains.

Preposition: of

  • disappointment: Bladud and the captain looked at it for a moment or two in silence, and Maikar gave vent to a groan of disappointment.
  • creation: We learn that Adam lost Eden, and the present groans of creation tell us so.

Preposition: under

  • weight: The plum tree in the garden is groaning under the weight!
  • burden: They groan under this burden of vanity that is brought upon them; but we are senseless, slight and careless.
  • strain: Our island is overcrowded and the NHS is groaning under the strain.

Preposition: with

pain: As he completed the maneuver, Wyldfyre groaned with pain and effort, forcing his wings to keep up their rhythmic stroke.

Browse dictionary entries near groan

  1. gro
  2. grizzly bear
  3. grizzly
  4. grizzled
  5. grizzle
  6. grivet
  7. gritty
  8. grits
  9. grith
  10. grit
  1. groat
  2. groats
  3. grocer
  4. groceries
  5. grocery
  6. Grodno
  7. grog
  8. groggery
  9. groggy
  10. grogram