moan
moan — noun
- moansingular
- moansplural
1. a drawn-out low noise that someone makes when they are hurt, ill, or feeling som
a drawn-out low noise that someone makes when they are hurt, ill, or feeling something strongly.
Faisal let out a soft moan as the nurse cleaned the wound on his shoulder.
let out + a moan (typical verb collocation)
A low moan came from under the blanket where the dog was hiding from the thunder.
a moan of + [reason], here from a frightened animal
Iris heard a faint moan coming from the next hospital bed in the middle of the night.
There was a deep moan of pleasure as Matthew sank into the hot bath after the long run.
文法句型
a moan of [emotion]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or animal; the sound itself is the noun. Often preceded by an adjective of length or pitch (long, low, soft, deep).
常見錯誤
2. an unhappy complaint about something, usually one that the listener finds petty
an unhappy complaint about something, usually one that the listener finds petty or tiresome.
Yasmin always has a moan about the slow lift in her office building.
have a moan about + [thing] (fixed pattern, informal British)
After the picnic, Lucía listened to her uncle's usual moan about the price of petrol.
I just need to have a quick moan about my noisy neighbours, then I'll feel better.
The team meeting turned into a long moan about the new office printer.
文法句型
have a moan about something
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this is the act of complaining (verbal), not a physical sound. Common British-English idiom 'have a moan'.
moan — verb
- moanpresent simple I / you / we / they
- moanshe / she / it
- moanedpast simple
- moaning-ing form
1. to make a slow, low noise from your throat because you are in pain, unwell, or f
to make a slow, low noise from your throat because you are in pain, unwell, or feeling something very strongly.
Bao moaned softly when the dentist touched the swollen tooth.
moan + adverb (softly, quietly, loudly)
The injured player lay on the grass and moaned in pain for several minutes.
moan in + [emotion]
Yara moaned with relief as she finally sat down after the long shift.
The old wooden door moaned every time someone pushed it open.
文法句型
moan in/with + [emotion]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or animal; can also describe a similar low sound made by an object (wind, doors, ships). Used both for pain and for pleasure or relief.
常見錯誤
2. to keep complaining in a slightly whiny way about something that other people se
to keep complaining in a slightly whiny way about something that other people see as small or unimportant.
Haruto's flatmates moan about the dirty kitchen every weekend.
moan about + [thing]
Stop moaning that the coffee is too hot and just wait for it to cool down.
moan that + [clause]
Mira's father keeps moaning about how loud the music is at her parties.
Some passengers moaned about the small seats during the entire flight to Madrid.
文法句型
moan about something
moan that + clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is verbal complaining, not a physical sound. Speaker usually finds the complaint petty. Frequently 'moan about'; can also take a that-clause.