growl
Americanverb (used without object)
-
growls,
present (3rd person singular)
-
growled,
past participle, past
-
growling
present participle
-
to utter a deep guttural sound of anger or hostility.
The dog growled at the mail carrier.
-
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)
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growls,
present (3rd person singular)
-
growled,
past participle, past
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growling
present participle
noun
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growls
plural
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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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am growlingprogressive
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are 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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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.
See Examples For:
During their live sets, Shane will usually take the mic to growl through the Bad Brains’ speedy “Big Takeover,” pacing the stage and banging his head.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Dodd recites it from memory in Wolverine’s voice with a growl.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
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.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025
She dropped into her gravelly Cookie Monster growl for the answer: “Brown food tastes good.”
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2025
“Hey, bro,” Zed yelled over the hum of the electric garage door opener and the growl of the lawn mower’s engine as I drove out, “wouldja lend me a coupla bucks?”
From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen
“I’m just trying to get me and my kids out of this town before it explodes,” growls Mary when Valerie presses her to punch up one of Al’s substandard scripts.
From Salon ● Mar. 26, 2026
My days are filled with the beeps and growls of bulldozers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2025
His father growls, “Because of him we have economic confusion.”
From Slate ● Nov. 13, 2025
Harrison Ford joined the movement in “1923,” a “Yellowstone” prequel, as a rancher defending his rural paradise from modern forces, who growls, “I do it for the land.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
She growls at me again, just to show how not-tame she is, and I’m glad to see that because she is wild.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
Although my stomach growled with anticipation, my heart and mind remained unsettled.
From Salon ● Jan. 10, 2026
TAYBEH, West Bank — The three military vehicles growled to a stop in front of Zaher Ibrahim’s elegant two-story home in this village in the occupied West Bank.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2025
Lyra and I sat there in the dark as a cello growled, a saxophone blared, and cosmic waves of sound washed over us.
From Slate ● Apr. 8, 2024
“I grew up believing in Darwinism,” he growled.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 19, 2023
Churro saw the alligator too and growled, and Natalie quickly clapped a hand over the little dog’s mouth.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
It’s 8 pm on a Thursday and my stomach is growling for food.
From Salon ● Mar. 3, 2026
You’ve heard of Goldilocks and the three bears, but not even five growling beasts can disrupt this rally.
From Barron's ● Nov. 11, 2025
Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” is a more somber affair, a growling ballad with touches of Southern soul.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2025
With a discography ranging from growling hardcore to radio-friendly pop-rock to their current foray into post-punk, the band has gone through more musical eras than Taylor Swift while staying remarkably consistent in other ways.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2025
“Anyone else think they deserve half?” the tall man said, his voice growling like a bear’s.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
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.
