growl

[ groul ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a deep guttural sound of anger or hostility:

   The dog growled at the mail carrier.

2. to murmur or complain angrily; grumble.
3. to rumble:

   The thunder growled.

4. Jazz. to use flutter-tonguing in playing a wind instrument.

verb (used with object)

1. to express by growling.

noun

1. the act or sound of growling.
2. Jazz. the technique of flutter-tonguing.

growl

/ ɡraʊl /

verb

1. (of animals, esp when hostile) to utter (sounds) in a low inarticulate manner

   the dog growled at us

2. to utter (words) in a gruff or angry manner

   he growled an apology

3. intr to make sounds suggestive of an animal growling

   the thunder growled around the lake

noun

1. the act or sound of growling
2. jazz an effect resembling a growl, produced at the back of the throat when playing a wind instrument

Derived Forms

• ˈgrowlingly, adverb

Other Words From

• growling·ly adverb
• under·growl noun
• un·growling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of growl¹

1350–1400; Middle English groule to rumble (said of the bowels); cognate with German grollen

Word History and Origins

Origin of growl¹

C18: from earlier grolle, from Old French grouller to grumble

Synonym Study

See complain.

Example Sentences

He confronts the indignities of old age with a surly, comforting growl.

From Time

Her organ is more immediate, its low register getting down to a subterranean growl.

From Washington Post

In a debate, he waved a “Trumpy bear” on his Zoom camera, with an accompanying growl.

From Washington Post

At other times Noseda dispenses with language altogether, deploying guttural growls and yat-dat-dat-daaaaa’s until he gets what he’s after, which, in the case of the 40th, is propulsion.

From Washington Post

For true grit, the Unlimited Rubicon 392—at a pricey $60,000—boasts a stunning 470-hp V8 Hemi engine, muscular cladding and four tailpipes pumping out a heady exhaust growl.

From Washington Blade

Students moan and growl and shriek and yawp, as if exorcising demons in a ritualistic ceremony.

From The Daily Beast

She smiles, which sounds like a small thing, but a lot of Republicans growl.

From The Daily Beast

A whimpering, half-growl and curdled scream, a cornered-animal cry of a sound.

From The Daily Beast

At least, while Hasselbeck was there, viewers had a figure they could collectively growl at.

From The Daily Beast

Columnists write that we must make it more relevant, while politicians growl about making it more efficient.

From The Daily Beast

Again they heard the growl much nearer than before, and it became evident that the lion was intent on claiming hospitality.

From Project Gutenberg

So with a fearful growl, and a bark that might have frightened a lion, Bravo made a leap and a spring after poor little Downy.

From Project Gutenberg

“But we ought to pony up the money for his support like good sports,” said Darry, continuing to growl.

From Project Gutenberg

Lawrence made no answer, and with a curse and a growl the guerrillas turned away.

From Project Gutenberg

The bears growl in stupefaction and rage, and take deep breaths to begin again.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• grunt
• howl
• moan
• rumble

More About Growl

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.

Where does growl come from?

The first records of the word growl come from the 1300s. It comes from the Middle English groule, meaning “to rumble.” This word referred not to a rumbling of the throat but of the bowels.

We still use growl in this sense today—to say that your stomach is growling means that it is making rumbling sounds, typically because you’re hungry. Regardless of whether the word is used in this sense, the sense of a dog growling or a person saying something in a gruff tone, it always involves a low-pitched sound. And the word often implies that the sound is being made out of hostility or anger. Stomachs can’t get angry, of course, but saying that your stomach is growling can humorously imply that it’s upset because it wants more food.

The adjective growly can mean “resembling a growl,” but it can also mean “grouchy” or “irritable.”

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to growl?

• growlingly (adverb)
• growly (adjective)
• growler (noun)

What are some synonyms for growl?

• rumble
• grumble
• snarl

What are some words that often get used in discussing growl?

 

• dog
• bark
• stomach
• low-pitched
• threatening
• menacing
• angry
• grunt
• roar
• howl

 

How is growl used in real life?

Growl is most commonly used in a literal sense when referring to the threatening sound that dogs make, but it’s also commonly used in other ways.

Dog is staring out the window, growling at the falling snow.

— Terry Glavin 格立文 (@TerryGlavin) December 21, 2020

Question: What noise does an Owlbear make?

Do they make a hoot or a growl or is it some weird mixture of the two?

— Cameron Harrison 💛 (@clhharrison) December 5, 2020

I already brushed my teeth for the night but my stomach is growling 🥴

— Lil Rose🇬🇭 (@rosieisredd) December 14, 2020

Try using growl!

Which of the following words would NOT be used to describe a growl?

A. menacing

B. rumbling

C. welcoming

D. low-pitched