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
-
growling
present participle
noun
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growls
plural
-
the act or sound of growling.
-
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
-
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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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:
Then Curry, undulating ever so slightly, delivers his first lines in a cavernous register, seated someplace between a purr and a growl.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
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
The 118-year-old bear, which still has a working growl - now described as "more like a squeak" - was expected to fetch between £300 and £500.
From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026
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
Churro’s head perked up, and he started to growl at something down below.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
The band’s joyful energy was more suitable for bopping than brooding, and Mr. Casablancas’s detached and distorted delivery is distant from grunge’s anguished growls.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
In his bedroom, Salmon growls and stomps around.
From Slate ● May 10, 2026
A convoy of white and black turbaned mullahs in camouflage, guns strapped across their chests, growls past in a parade of motorcycles - another startling moment of this night.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026
“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
Nathan released the turquoise stone and the voice turned back into growls.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
Although my stomach growled with anticipation, my heart and mind remained unsettled.
From Salon ● Jan. 10, 2026
As the ball landed in the gap, Glasnow turned and growled in frustration.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 27, 2024
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
“She can put up with a lot. She’s never once growled at Lily, snipped — nothing,” Houman said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2024
My throat was parched, and my belly growled.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
"I can't read instruction manuals, but I've watched YouTube tutorials," he says, generating a growling bass line that sounds like the dawning of the apocalypse.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
Later in the record, a growling bass clarinet on “I Need You” makes the jazzy beat sound dangerous, like slow exhalations from a sleeping dragon.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 6, 2026
I’ll base entire trips off a craving for a specific flavor or dish that pops up in my dreams, leaving my stomach growling in the morning.
From Salon ● Nov. 15, 2025
Neeson gets a chuckle just growling the word “mittens.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2025
The next thing I knew, I woke up in pitch darkness; the candle had burned out, and Faro was growling.
From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien
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.
