moan
B2Neutral to informal, especially when meaning 'complain'.
Definition
Meaning
To make a long, low sound expressing physical or mental suffering.
To complain or speak in a way that suggests dissatisfaction, often in a low, drawn-out manner; can also refer to the sound of wind or other objects.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The physical pain sense is primary and neutral. The 'complain' sense is more common in informal contexts and can carry a negative connotation of being unjustified or excessive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'moan' similarly. The 'complain' sense might be slightly more frequent in informal British English.
Connotations
Similar connotations. The 'complain' sense can be seen as peevish or whiny in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] (intransitive)[V that] (complaint)[V about NP] (complaint)[V with NP] (emotion/sensation)[V 'speech']Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Moan and groan (to complain a lot)”
- “Don't get your knickers in a twist (BrE - said to someone moaning unnecessarily)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except informally: 'He's always moaning about the workload.'
Academic
Very rare, except in literary/psychological analysis of expression.
Everyday
Common for complaints and expressions of discomfort: 'The wind moaned through the trees.' 'Stop moaning and help.'
Technical
Used in medical contexts to describe a vocalisation of a patient in distress.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- A low moan came from the cellar.
- He gave a moan of disappointment when his team lost.
- I'm tired of your constant moans.
American English
- She let out a moan as she stood up.
- His only response was a frustrated moan.
- We heard the moan of the distant train.
verb
British English
- The injured footballer moaned on the pitch.
- She's always moaning about the weather.
- 'I'm so tired,' he moaned.
American English
- The patient moaned in pain after surgery.
- He moaned that the project was unfair.
- Don't just moan about it—do something!
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby moaned because he was sleepy.
- I heard a strange moan.
- He moaned about having too much homework.
- The wind moaned outside the window all night.
- Despite her moans about the cost, she eventually booked the holiday.
- The old floorboards moaned under our feet.
- Critics have long moaned about the dearth of original programming, yet ratings for derivative series remain high.
- A collective moan of despair went up from the audience when the winner was announced.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ghost saying 'MOAN' in a long, sad voice – it captures both the sound and the complaining feeling.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLAINT IS PHYSICAL PAIN ('He's always moaning about taxes.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'to murmur' (шептать). 'Moan' is louder and more expressive. The 'complain' sense overlaps with 'ныть' or 'стонать' metaphorically.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'moan' for a quick cry of pain (use 'yelp' or 'cry out'). Using it in overly formal contexts for 'complain'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'moan' used in its primary, physical sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often interchangeable for sounds of pain. 'Groan' can imply a deeper, more resonant sound and is more common for reactions to mental strain or annoyance. 'Moan' is more associated with prolonged suffering or pleasure, and is the standard word for complaining informally.
Yes, though less common. It can describe a sound of pleasure or contentment (e.g., 'She moaned with delight at the taste of the cake'). Context is crucial.
It typically carries a negative judgement, suggesting the complaint is persistent, unreasonable, or delivered in a whiny tone. A neutral word for complaining is 'lament' or simply 'complain'.
No. While the sound-of-pain meaning is neutral, the 'complain' meaning is decidedly informal. In formal writing, use 'complain', 'lament', or 'grieve' instead.