groin
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the area of the body where the legs join the torso.
n.the crease or depression at the junction of the human trunk and the thigh, including the surrounding inguinal region.
Simple“The athlete had to stop playing because of a painful groin strain.”
In context“The surgeon noted significant swelling in the patient's right groin, suggesting a possible hernia that required immediate attention.”
Synonymsinguinal region - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a polite or indirect way to talk about a person's private parts.
n.a euphemistic reference to the external genitalia.
Simple“The player accidentally kicked the ball into his opponent's groin.”
In context“The comedian made a series of crude jokes involving injuries to the groin, which the audience found surprisingly hilarious.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.the curved edge where two arched ceilings meet each other.
n.the projecting solid angle or edge formed by the intersection of two vaults.
Simple“The old cathedral features beautiful stone groins where the arches cross.”
In context“The architect carefully calculated the stress points at each groin to ensure the vaulted ceiling could support the weight of the roof.”
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
n.a low wall built out into the sea to stop the sand from washing away.
n.a low wall or sturdy barrier built out into the sea from a beach to check erosion and drifting.
Simple“The city built several wooden groins to protect the beach from the winter storms.”
In context“Environmentalists debated whether the installation of concrete groins would disrupt the local ecosystem while attempting to prevent coastal erosion.”
UsageSpelled 'groyne' in British English.
Teacher's tipLearners should be aware that 'groyne' is the standard spelling in the UK, while 'groin' is used in the US for both the body part and the coastal structure.
Synonymsbreakwaterjetty - 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to hit someone in the area between their legs.
v.to deliver a forceful blow to the genitals of another person.
Simple“In the movie, the hero groins the villain to escape.”
In context“The fight ended abruptly when one participant managed to groin the other, leaving him incapacitated on the floor.”
Synonyms
“Ismaila Sarr is still recovering from a groin injury so misses out for Palace, as doesChadi Riad due to a knee injury.”
“After being omitted from England’s World Cup squad, Palmer had a seven-week break and sought advice from a specialist on the groin injury that hampered him last season.”
From earlier grine, from Middle English grinde, grynde, from Old English grynde (“abyss”) (perhaps also "depression, hollow"), probably related to Proto-Germanic *grunduz; see ground. Later altered under the influence of loin.
From Middle English groynen, from a mixture of Old French groignier, grougnier (from Latin grunniō) and Old English grunnian (from Proto-Germanic *grunnōną).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.