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.
-
to rumble.
The thunder growled.
-
Jazz. to use flutter-tonguing in playing a wind instrument.
verb (used with object)
-
growls,
present (3rd person singular)
-
growled,
past participle, past
-
growling
present participle
noun
-
growls
plural
-
the act or sound of growling.
-
Jazz. the technique of flutter-tonguing.
verb
-
(of animals, esp when hostile) to utter (sounds) in a low inarticulate manner
the dog growled at us
-
to utter (words) in a gruff or angry manner
he growled an apology
-
(intr) to make sounds suggestive of an animal growling
the thunder growled around the lake
noun
-
the act or sound of growling
-
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
-
growlsimple
-
growlssimple
-
have growledperfect
-
has growledperfect
-
am growlingprogressive
-
are growlingprogressive
-
is growlingprogressive
-
have been growlingperfect progressive
-
has been growlingperfect progressive
Past
-
growledsimple
-
had growledperfect
-
was growlingprogressive
-
were growlingprogressive
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Shiloh
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Excerpt from "Kira-Kira"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
Because the Captain speaks with a low growl, Laveaux has to go easy on his voice; early on, he lost it after a show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
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
The house band drums intensify, a violin cries and guitar chords growl.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026
Sport mode will awaken a growl in the exhaust pipes but that’s not what pays the SL 680’s bills.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
Cleo and Cocoa growl as their fur rises to attention.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
In addition to worrying about his ill daughter, Bach mutters and growls about the Prussian troops rampaging through his town.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 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
“What can I do about my dreams?” it growls, an apt lyric for the singularly inventive and unmanageable fever of a movie that shares its name.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2025
A spriggan growls at me, but I don’t pay any mind.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
The bear growled at him through a vent on the floor of the living room on Tuesday, he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 26, 2025
I got growled at once by a mountain lion but still couldn’t see it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2025
“Let’s do this,” he growled, handing me a to-go mug full of coffee as he slid into our car's driver’s seat and turned over the engine.
From Salon ● Dec. 23, 2023
“I grew up believing in Darwinism,” he growled.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 19, 2023
With every hair on his back standing straight up, he growled and showed his teeth.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
"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
The voice growling over it belongs to Dana White, the president and CEO of the UFC, who does donuts in a blacked-out performance truck while the slogan lands.
From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026
After observing Earl for a moment, Maslany attempts to keep the conversation going before Johnson interrupts: “I have to say, the dog is now growling at nothing. And it’s truly scary.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 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
Granddad had said after the match, in his growling rasp of a voice.
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
