groan Definition
groan (grōn)
intransitive verb
- to utter a deep sound expressing pain, distress, or disapproval
- to make a creaking or grating sound, as from great strain a heavy gate groaning on its hinges
- 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
groan′er noun
groan′·ingly adverb
groan Synonyms
groan Synonyms
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.
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