ENGLISH
REFERENCE

groaning

v.
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɡɹoʊnɪŋ// UK //ɡɹˈəʊnɪŋ// groan·ing Archaic

v. to make a low, heavy sound when you are in pain or very tired. It is an old word that people might use in stories or old songs.

v. to utter a low, heavy sound as a result of pain, fatigue, or distress. Archaic in modern usage; typically appears in historical or literary contexts.


SIMPLE

The old bridge groaning under the weight of the heavy truck.

CONTEXTUAL

The old man groaning as he struggled to lift the heavy wooden beam into place.

COMPLEX

The ancient stone walls began to groaning as the heavy rains continued to fall, signaling the imminent collapse of the crumbling structure.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English gronynge (“groaning”), from Old English grānung; equivalent to groan + -ing. Conflated with Middle English gronende, present participle of gronen, from Old English grāniende, present participle of grānian (“to groan”). Analyzable as groan + -ing.

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