gnarl
1[ nahrl ]
/ nɑrl /
noun
a knotty protuberance on a tree; knot.
verb (used with object)
to twist into a knotted or distorted form.
QUIZZES
LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!
Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
Origin of gnarl
1First recorded in 1805–15; back formation from gnarled
Definition for gnarl (2 of 2)
gnarl2
[ nahrl ]
/ nɑrl /
verb (used without object)
to growl; snarl.
Origin of gnarl
2First recorded in 1585–95; variant of gnar
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for gnarl
Rest assured I shall have my eye upon the gnarling scoundrels.
Rookwood|William Harrison AinsworthGnarling sorrow hath less power to bite / The man that mocks at it and sets it light.
British Dictionary definitions for gnarl (1 of 2)
gnarl1
/ (nɑːl) /
noun
any knotty protuberance or swelling on a tree
verb
(tr) to knot or cause to knot
Word Origin for gnarl
C19: back formation from gnarled, probably variant of knurled; see knurl
British Dictionary definitions for gnarl (2 of 2)
gnarl2
gnar (nɑː)
/ (nɑːl) /
verb
(intr) obsolete to growl or snarl
Word Origin for gnarl
C16: of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012