Words / B2

GROHN/ɡrəʊn/

To groan is to make a deep sound of pain, despair, or disapproval; as a noun, that sound: groan with pain; a groan from the crowd. Moan is a close twin; sigh is lighter. A groan from the gallery featured in the hearing transcript. Mix-up: grown (past of grow); groan vs grown homophone. Do not write groan for a cheerful cheer in the source.

Meaning

To make a deep sound of pain, despair, or disapproval; as a noun, that sound.

Examples

• “A groan from the gallery featured in the hearing transcript, not a comic-strip sound.”
• “The class groaned at the extra paper, which is the disapproval sense.”

Good to know

groan with / at; a groan of. Close: moan. Lighter: sigh. Trap: grown. Literature, news, and orals. A deep sound of pain or disapproval, not applause.

Near in meaning

moan, sigh

New