Pronunciations (4)
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/məʊn/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/moʊn/
Pronunciation notes
- US
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məʊn
Pronunciation notes
- GB
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moʊn
Pronunciation notes
- US
Noun
A low, mournful cry of pain, sorrow or pleasure.
- Examples
-
let out a deep moan
We heard the distant moan of a stag in pain.
A lament or sorrow.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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to make one's moan
More examples (2)
it shall be my daily grief and moan, that I am so dull, & do so little[…]But if when all is done that we can do, you will leave us nothing but our tears and moans for self-destroyers, the sin is yours, and the suffering shall be yours.
to thee therefore oh Lord do I make my moan, to thee I render my humble petition, and pour out my soul which hath sinned against thee: Oh Lord, I beseech thee for thy infinite mercy in Jesus Christ, to take pity upon mee[…]
Verb
To complain about; to bemoan, to bewail; to mourn.
Usage- UK usage
- Transitive
- Examples
-
Much did the Craven seeme to mone his case […].
1708, Matthew Prior, the Turtle and the Sparrow Ye floods, ye woods, ye echoes, moan / My dear Columbo, dead and gone.
To grieve.
Usage- Intransitive
- Poetic
- Synonyms
To make a moan or similar sound.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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She moaned with pleasure and squirmed with delight from receiving oral sex.
They shared a common dread that he would begin moaning.
To say in a moan, or with a moaning voice.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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‘Please don't leave me,’ he moaned.
To complain; to grumble.
Usage- Colloquial
- Intransitive
- Synonyms
To distress (someone); to sadden.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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which infinitely moans me
Adjective
Of or pertaining to a moa.
Noun
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
Verb
indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The students groaned when the professor got out the exam booklets
The ancient door moaned when opened