noun
1.
a prolonged, low, inarticulate sound uttered from or as if from physical or mental suffering.
2.
any similar sound: the moan of the wind.
3.
complaint or lamentation.
verb (used without object)
4.
to utter moans, as of pain or grief.
5.
(of the wind, sea, trees, etc.) to make any sound suggestive of such moans: The wind moaned through the trees.
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verb (used with object)
6.
to utter (something) inarticulately or pitifully, as if in lamentation: He moaned his response.
7.
to lament or bemoan: to moan one's fate.
Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English mone, man(e) (noun), Old English *mān, inferred from its derivative mǣnan to mourn
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 Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To moan
Collins
World English Dictionary
moan (məʊn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a low prolonged mournful sound expressive of suffering or pleading |
| 2. | any similar mournful sound, esp that made by the wind |
| 3. | a grumble or complaint |
| —vb | |
| 4. | to utter (words) in a low mournful manner |
| 5. | (intr) to make a sound like a moan |
| 6. | (usually intr) to grumble or complain (esp in the phrase moan and groan) |
| [C13: related to Old English mǣnan to grieve over] | |
| 'moaner | |
| —n | |
| 'moanful | |
| —adj | |
| 'moaning | |
| —n, —adj | |
| 'moaningly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
moan
early 13c., as a noun, "complaint, lamentation," probably related to O.E. mænan "complain, moan," also "tell, intend," from P.Gmc. *main- (but OED discounts this connection). Meaning "long, low inarticulate murmur from some prolonged pain" is first recorded 1670s. The verb is first attested early
15c. as "to complain," 1724 as "to make a low, mournful sound." Related: Moaned; moaning.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Businessmen moan about rigid labour laws, which there is little political will to reform.
The roommate appeared to be sleeping, but later that night began to moan.
The rides creak, moan and flash their lights at the same radically reduced rate that they turn and twitch.
Some sit and stare, some pace, some moan and chatter to themselves.
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