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Meaning of groan in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /ɡroʊn/

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  1. Verb

    groan

    Etymology

    Old English grānian, of Germanic origin; related to German greinen‘grizzle, whine’, grinsen‘grin’, also probably to grin

    Definitions

    1. indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure

    Examples

    • « The students groaned when the professor got out the exam booklets »
    • « The ancient door soughed when opened »

    Derived terms

    • bellyacher
    • complainer
    • crybaby
    • groaner
    • grumbler
    • moan
    • moaner
    • sniveller
    • squawker
    • whiner
  2. Noun

    groan

    Definitions

    1. an utterance expressing pain or disapproval

    Derived terms

    • moan
    • sough

Famous quotes

  • « Poetry is the language we speak in the most terrifying or ecstatic passages of our lives. But the very word poetry scares people. They think of their grade school teachers reciting 'Hiawatha' and they groan. »
    Erica Jong
  • « We always think of a diet with a big groan. But I think diets are fun. I think it is an American pastime for a lot of women. »
    Mindy Kaling

Browse dictionary

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  • grizzly
  • grizzled
  • grizzle
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  • groaner
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  • groats
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