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.
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
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.
When Mr. Cameron’s Na’vi growl and bare their teeth at one another, they come across as campy and catty critters—“Real Housewives of Pandora.”
James growled and yelled in the face of the reeling Kornet.
From Los Angeles Times
When I lean back, I close my eyes and let out a long sigh that kind of turns into a frustrated growl.
From Literature
It came to life with the inimitable growl of a vintage straight four that took me back to my teenage self with a rush of sadness.
“Let. Her. Go,” I growl, glaring at the … thing in front of me.
From Literature
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.
