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Meaning & use

groan

verb, noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ɡrəʊn/
US/ɡroʊn/

Meanings

  1. verbintransitive

    To make a low, drawn-out sound because of pain, tiredness, annoyance or disappointment.

    Grammar: Often takes with or in: groan with pain, groan in disgust.

    Patterns

    • groan with something
    • groan at something

    He groaned with pain as he lifted the box.

    The class groaned when the teacher announced a test.

    She groaned and rolled over when the alarm rang.

  2. verbintransitive

    To make a creaking sound under heavy weight or strain.

    Grammar: No object; the subject is usually a structure: the floor groaned.

    Patterns

    • groan under something

    The old bridge groaned under the weight of the trucks.

    The shelves groaned with books.

    Timber groaned as the ship rolled.

  3. nouncountable

    A long low sound made to show pain, annoyance or disapproval.

    Grammar: Countable: let out a groan.

    Patterns

    • a groan of something
    • let out a groan

    There was a loud groan when the lights went out.

    He gave a groan of disappointment.

    Her joke drew a collective groan.

Word forms

third person singulargroans
past tensegroaned
past participlegroaned
-ing formgroaning
pluralgroans

Common combinations

groan with pain
The patient groaned with pain.
groan inwardly
I groaned inwardly when I saw the long queue.
let out a groan
He let out a groan and sat down.
groan in protest
The crowd groaned in protest at the decision.
groan under the weight
The table groaned under the weight of the feast.
moans and groans
I'm tired of all the moans and groans about homework.

Synonyms and how they differ

moan
Moan can also mean to complain at length, while groan is mainly the sound itself.
grumble
Grumble is quieter complaining in words, whereas groan is a wordless noise.
sigh
A sigh is softer and shows tiredness or sadness, while a groan is deeper and more audible.
whimper
Whimper is a higher, weaker cry, unlike the low, heavy groan.

Opposites

cheer

Word family

groaning adjective
making groans, as in a groaning table full of food
groaner noun
a very bad joke that makes people groan
groaningly adverb
in a groaning way

Commonly confused: groan or grown?

groan vs grown

Grown is the past participle of grow and sounds similar, but has nothing to do with sounds of complaint.

Practice

The audience ___ when the comedian told the old pun again.

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