growl
Americanverb (used without object)
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to utter a deep guttural sound of anger or hostility.
The dog growled at the mail carrier.
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to murmur or complain angrily; grumble.
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to rumble.
The thunder growled.
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Jazz. to use flutter-tonguing in playing a wind instrument.
verb (used with object)
noun
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the act or sound of growling.
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Jazz. the technique of flutter-tonguing.
verb
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(of animals, esp when hostile) to utter (sounds) in a low inarticulate manner
the dog growled at us
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to utter (words) in a gruff or angry manner
he growled an apology
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(intr) to make sounds suggestive of an animal growling
the thunder growled around the lake
noun
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the act or sound of growling
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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.
Synonym Usage
See complain.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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growlsimple
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growlssimple
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have growledperfect
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has growledperfect
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are growlingprogressive
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am growlingprogressive
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is growlingprogressive
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have been growlingperfect progressive
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has been growlingperfect progressive
Past
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growledsimple
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had growledperfect
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was growlingprogressive
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were growlingprogressive
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had been growlingperfect progressive
Future
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!
Vocabulary lists containing growl
Instead of "Said": Words That Sound Like What They Mean
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Shiloh
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Excerpt from "Kira-Kira"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ahead of Game 6 on Friday night at FedEx Forum, the Grizzlies were once again everywhere — on billboards and on posters, on team-issued Growl Towels and on license plates.
From New York Times • May 15, 2015
It did not take long for the Grizzlies to print several thousand of their ubiquitous Growl Towels that featured the phrase “We Don’t Bluff.”
From New York Times • May 15, 2015
But they typically hand out Growl Towels to fans before playoff games instead of T-shirts, helping to create a small T-shirt vacuum that several of the city’s artists and designers have been eager to fill.
From New York Times • May 15, 2015
Primarily serving as a vehicle to demonstrate that Liam Neeson has now perfected his Harrison Ford Growl, “Non-Stop” is a by-the-numbers action flick that goes exactly where you think it’s going.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2014
Scriven was casting up his accounts—literally, not metaphorically, be it understood; Growl was endeavouring to forget his cares, with eyes fast closed, on two chairs in the gun-room; and our Commander was below, reading.
From Salt Water The Sea Life and Adventures of Neil D'Arcy the Midshipman by Lacey, C. J. de
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
