What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
groan
Example
He let out a groan as he lifted the heavy box. [groan: noun]
Example
She groaned in frustration when she realized she had lost her keys. [groaned: past tense verb]
sigh
Example
She let out a sigh of relief when she saw her friend waiting for her. [sigh: noun]
Example
He sighed heavily when he heard the bad news. [sighed: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sigh is more commonly used than groan in everyday language. Sigh is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while groan is less common and often associated with negative situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between groan and sigh?
Both groan and sigh are informal words that are appropriate for casual conversations. However, sigh can also be used in more formal contexts to express a range of emotions.
