moaner
moaner — noun
1. someone who keeps complaining, especially about small problems that other people
someone who keeps complaining, especially about small problems that other people do not think matter much.
Joshua is such a moaner that every bus delay ruins his morning.
such a moaner + everyday annoyance
At lunch, Eleni sounded like a moaner again, grumbling about the soup.
sound like a moaner
The team ignored Owen's warning because they thought he was a moaner.
On family trips, Min hates being called a moaner for asking questions.
- complainer
a neutral, broader word for someone who often says something is wrong
- whiner
more negative and suggests an annoying, childish tone
- grumbler
often quieter and more low-level than a constant moaner
文法句型
be a moaner
such a moaner
a moaner about + noun
用法筆記
Usually disapproving. People call someone a moaner when the complaints seem constant or unnecessary, not simply when the person mentions one real problem.
常見錯誤
moaner — verb
1. to let out a long, low sound because you are hurt, very tired, or deeply unhappy
to let out a long, low sound because you are hurt, very tired, or deeply unhappy.
Folake moaned softly when the nurse touched her swollen ankle.
moan softly in pain
The old floorboards moaned in the wind all night.
inanimate subject + moan in the wind
After the final lap, Vivek moaned and sank onto the grass.
A weak dog moaned behind the gate until the shelter opened.
文法句型
moan in pain
moan softly
moan with grief
用法筆記
Often used for people or animals in pain, grief, or extreme tiredness. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about complaining with words.
常見錯誤
2. to complain in a tired or unhappy voice about something you dislike or have to d
to complain in a tired or unhappy voice about something you dislike or have to do.
Adina moaned about the homework before she even opened the book.
moan about + noun
Several passengers moaned when the train stopped again outside Taichung.
group subject + public delay
Selim kept moaning that the queue was moving too slowly.
The children moaned about walking, but the temple was only ten minutes ahead.
文法句型
moan about + noun
moan that + clause
keep moaning about + noun
用法筆記
Usually followed by about, over, or a that-clause naming the problem. Distinguish from sense 1, where the sound itself matters more than the complaint.
常見錯誤
3. to say words in a long, unhappy sound instead of speaking normally.
to say words in a long, unhappy sound instead of speaking normally.
"I cannot carry this box," Reuben moaned from the stairs.
moan + quotation
"Not another meeting," Pim moaned as he read the email.
quoted complaint + moaned
"My head still hurts," Joshua moaned into the phone.
"Please turn off the light," Owen moaned from the sofa.
文法句型
moan + quotation
moan + short complaint
用法筆記
Used when the exact words are quoted or reported. The focus is not only the complaint, but the drawn-out sound of the way it is spoken.