/ məʊn; NAmE moʊn/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
( of a person ) to make a long deep sound, usually expressing unhappiness, suffering or sexual pleasure
SYN groan :
[ v ]
to moan in / with pain
The injured man was lying on the ground, moaning.
[ v speech ]
'I might never see you again,' she moaned.
2.
moan (on) (about sth) (to sb) | moan (at sb) ( informal ) to complain about sth in a way that other people find annoying
SYN grumble , whine :
[ v ]
What are you moaning on about now?
They're always moaning and groaning about how much they have to do.
[ v that ]
Bella moaned that her feet were cold.
➡ note at complain
3.
[ v ] ( literary ) ( especially of the wind ) to make a long deep sound
► moan·er noun
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a long deep sound, usually expressing unhappiness, suffering or sexual pleasure
SYN groan :
a low moan of despair / anguish
2.
[ C ] ( informal ) a complaint about sth :
We had a good moan about work.
His letters are full of the usual moans and groans.
3.
[ sing. ] ( literary ) a long deep sound, especially the sound that is made by the wind
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense complaint or lamentation ): of unknown origin.