Moaned
/moʊnd/
verbB1past tense
Definition
To moan is to make a soft, low sound that shows you feel pain, sadness, or unhappiness. People or animals moan when they are hurt, tired, or upset. It can also show that someone is complaining quietly.
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See It in Action
To make a low sound showing pain or discomfort
- •She moaned loudly after hitting her leg.
- •The patient moaned during the treatment.
- •He moaned when he woke up with a headache.
To complain quietly or express unhappiness
- •He moaned about having too much work.
- •They moaned all day about the bad weather.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "moaned" like "said," but instead of clear words, it is a soft, sad or painful sound.
- ✓Picture someone lying down and making a quiet, long sound because they feel bad or hurt.
- ✓It's the feeling when you are uncomfortable and cannot speak clearly but want to show you are unhappy.
- ✓Sounds like "moan" → imagine a slow, soft "ohhh" sound when you feel pain or sadness.
- ✓Think of a character in a movie who is hurt and makes a soft, sad sound instead of talking.
- ✓NOT like "shouted" (loud and clear), "moaned" is quiet and low.
- ✓NOT like "crying" (which uses tears), "moaning" is about sound without needing tears.
- ✓NOT like "complained" (which uses words), "moaned" is often without words or with very soft words.
Try Other Words
- •Groaned: low sound of pain or sadness (Use when the sound is deeper or shows more pain)
- •Whined: complaining in a high, annoying voice (Use when the sound is higher and more irritating)
- •Complained: said you are unhappy or not satisfied (Use when clear words are used to express unhappiness)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root "moan" + past tense suffix "-ed"
- •Etymology: Old English "mānan," meaning to complain or lament (express sadness)
- •Historical development: Used since early English to describe sounds of pain or sadness
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe sounds of pain, discomfort, or quiet complaints in speech and writing
Reflect & Connect
•When do people moan instead of speaking clearly? What does this show about their feelings?
•How can understanding the difference between moaning and complaining help you better understand someone's emotions?
Fill in the blanks
1.She moaned ___ after she twisted her ankle during the game.
2.People often moaned ___ when the weather was cold and rainy for many days.
3.Unlike shouting, moaned is a ___ sound that shows pain or sadness.
4.When he moaned about the homework, it showed he was ___ but did not want to argue.
5.The patient moaned ___ during the doctor’s examination because of pain.
6.Moaned is different from complained because it usually does not use ___ words.
7.If someone moaned softly, we can infer they are feeling ___ but not angry.