growl

American  

[groul] / graʊl /

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a deep guttural sound of anger or hostility.

   The dog growled at the mail carrier.

2. to murmur or complain angrily; grumble.

3. to rumble.

   The thunder growled.

4. Jazz. to use flutter-tonguing in playing a wind instrument.

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verb (used with object)

1. to express by growling.

noun

1. the act or sound of growling.

2. Jazz. the technique of flutter-tonguing.

growl British  

/ ɡraʊl /

verb

1. (of animals, esp when hostile) to utter (sounds) in a low inarticulate manner

   the dog growled at us

2. to utter (words) in a gruff or angry manner

   he growled an apology

3. (intr) to make sounds suggestive of an animal growling

   the thunder growled around the lake

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noun

1. the act or sound of growling

2. jazz an effect resembling a growl, produced at the back of the throat when playing a wind instrument

Usage

What does growl mean? To growl is to make a deep, rumbling grrrrr sound in the throat, like a guard dog does at an intruder. Growling is typically interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or show hostility. Growl can also be used as a noun to refer to such a sound, as in We heard a terrifying growl in the woods. Growling is most often associated with dogs, but other animals can growl or make sounds that can be considered growls, such as bears. People can growl in this way—a young child might growl when throwing a tantrum. In the context of people, though, the word is more commonly used in a figurative way meaning to say something in a low, gruff, angry tone, as in “Get out now!” he growled. Sometimes, it’s used in the context of a thing that’s making a deep rumbling sound, as in Listen to that engine growl! or The growl of the thunder was moving closer. Example: We’ve had the same mail carrier for years, but my dog still growls at her.

Related Words

See complain.

Other Word Forms

• growlingly adverb
• undergrowl noun
• ungrowling adjective

Etymology

Origin of growl

1350–1400; Middle English groule to rumble (said of the bowels); cognate with German grollen

Explanation

To growl is to make a low, guttural, aggressive sound, like “grrrrrrrrrrr.” If you’ve ever gotten too close to an angry dog, you’ve probably heard a growl. A growl is not a friendly sound. Growls are low, rumbling snarls, and they usually mean "Back off!" Dogs growl at people and animals they don’t like. Sometimes people growl when they speak in a low, angry way. If you dine at a restaurant but don’t leave a tip, the waiter might growl at you. Growling is best done though clinched teeth. If an animal or person is growling, stay away!

Example Sentences

Mr. Waits is terrific here, his growl of a voice put to gentle use as a solitary person evidently glad and endearingly nervous to see his children.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

"I'd forget I was dressed as Salt, he'd growl and I'd think: 'Oh yeah, I'm blue'."

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

He speaks with the same measured warmth as ever — that deep, lilting rumble that can shift from conspiratorial murmur to amused growl in a heartbeat — but he sometimes loses a name mid-thought.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

She dropped into her gravelly Cookie Monster growl for the answer: “Brown food tastes good.”

From Salon • Sep. 4, 2025

The answering growl was like a deep rumble of thunder, or the roar of a steam engine approaching the station, or the sound of a snowy avalanche on some distant alpine peak.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• grunt
• howl
• moan
• rumble