groan
gb/ɡɹˈoʊn/ us/ɡɹˈoʊn/
A2
English
~ 800
nyög, felnyög, nyögés, recseg
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to groan [in/with] [pain/discomfort]
He groaned in pain after twisting his ankle.
Fájdalmában felnyögött, miután megrándította a bokáját.
The old man groaned as he got out of bed.
Az idős férfi felnyögött, amikor kikelt az ágyból.
She groaned softly when she heard the bad news.
The injured player groaned on the field.
I groaned with discomfort during the long flight.
Learner examples
He groaned when he hurt his leg.
Felnyögött, amikor megsérült a lába.
She groaned after hearing the bad news.
Felnyögött, amikor meghallotta a rossz hírt.
The man groaned with pain.
I groaned when I stood up too quickly.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'groan' with 'grown' (past participle of 'grow'). The two words have very different meanings and pronunciations.
Meaning
Make a low sound in pain
Collocations
groan in pain
|groan with effort
|groan loudly
|groan softly
Synonyms
moan (Often similar, but 'moan' can also suggest prolonged complaining or sexual sounds.)
Antonyms
sigh (A sigh is a breath sound that often shows relief or sadness, not pain.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a low, unhappy sound because you are hurt or feel bad.
To make a deep, low sound that shows pain, discomfort, or distress.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to groan [at/about] [something]
The students groaned when they heard about the surprise test.
A diákok felnyögtek, amikor meghallották, hogy váratlan dolgozat lesz.
He groaned at the thought of cleaning the garage.
Már a garázs kitakarításának gondolatára is felnyögött.
She groaned in frustration after making the same mistake again.
The audience groaned when the lights went out.
I groaned about having to work late again.
Learner examples
The class groaned when the teacher gave homework.
Az osztály felnyögött, amikor a tanár házi feladatot adott.
He groaned about doing the dishes.
Felnyögött, amiért mosogatnia kellett.
She groaned at the idea of walking in the rain.
We all groaned when we heard the bad news.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'complain'; 'groan' refers specifically to the sound, not just words.
Meaning
Make low sound in annoyance
Collocations
groan in frustration
|groan about work
|groan at the idea
Synonyms
grunt ('Grunt' is shorter and more abrupt; 'groan' is longer and more expressive.)
Antonyms
cheer (Cheer expresses positive approval, opposite to annoyed groaning.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a low sound because you are annoyed or upset about something.
To make a deep, low sound to express annoyance, frustration, or disapproval.
NOUN
A2
3
nyögés
B1
A loud groan came from the injured player.
A sérült játékos felől hangos nyögés hallatszott.
He let out a groan as he sat down.
Nyögést hallatott, amikor leült.
The groans of the patients filled the room.
She gave a small groan before fainting.
Learner examples
He made a loud groan when he fell.
Hangos nyögést hallatott, amikor elesett.
I heard a groan from the next room.
Nyögést hallottam a szomszéd szobából.
She let out a groan when she stood up.
Meaning
Low sound of pain/discomfort
Collocations
a loud groan
|a muffled groan
|a painful groan
Synonyms
moan (Very similar; 'moan' can be longer and more drawn-out.)
Antonyms
cheer (A loud positive shout is opposite to a painful groan.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A low, unhappy sound made when someone feels hurt or bad.
A deep, low sound made by someone who is in pain, discomfort, or distress.
VERB
B2
LITERARY
4
Usage pattern:
to groan under [weight/pressure]
The wooden floorboards groaned under his feet.
A fapadló deszkái recsegtek a léptei alatt.
The shelves groaned under the weight of the books.
A polcok recsegtek a könyvek súlya alatt.
The old bridge groaned as the truck crossed it.
The tree branches groaned in the wind.
Learner examples
The floorboards groaned when I walked on them.
A padlódeszkák recsegtek, amikor rajtuk jártam.
The table groaned under the heavy box.
Az asztal recsegett a nehéz doboz alatt.
The bridge groaned as we drove over it.
Meaning
Make noise under strain/weight
Collocations
groan under the weight
|floorboards groaned
|bridge groaned
Synonyms
creak ('Creak' is higher-pitched and sharper; 'groan' is deeper and heavier.)
Antonyms
remain silent (No noise indicates no strain or stress.)
Themes
physics
|daily life
|daily_life
|science
Definition
When something makes a low noise because it is under heavy weight or pressure.
(Of objects) To make a deep, strained sound due to heavy weight, pressure, or stress.
Grammar
Dictionary form
groan
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈoʊn/
US/ɡɹˈoʊn/
Syllables & stress
groan (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (groan)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: groan
- Plural: groans
Verb
- Base: groan
- 3rd Person Singular: groans
- Present Participle: groaning
- Past: groaned
Word family
Forms
groans
noun
groaning
verb
groaned
verb
Related words
groaner
noun
Advanced or less common
groanworthy
adjective
Expressions
groan inwardly
1/ɡɹˈoʊn ˈɪnwɚdli/
fixed phrase
Feel silent annoyance/dismay inside
To feel upset or annoyed inside yourself without making a sound others can hear.
Examples
- She groaned inwardly when her boss scheduled another meeting.
- I groaned inwardly at his bad joke but smiled politely.
groan under the weight of
1/ɡɹˈoʊn ˈʌndɚ ðə wˈeɪt əv/
fixed phrase
Be burdened heavily by weight/pressure
To make a low noise because something is carrying too much weight or pressure.
Examples
- The shelves groaned under the weight of old books.
- The cart was groaning under the weight of supplies.