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.
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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
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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
-
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
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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:
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
Mr. Chatten’s baritone voice, delivered with a growl and processed to sound as if it’s transmitting from a crackly pirate radio station, recalls Curtis’s tone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 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
Dodd recites it from memory in Wolverine’s voice with a growl.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
“Sparkle? Sparkle? Give the boy here a donut or we’ll be listening to his stomach growl all afternoon long.”
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
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
The backroom that Goth Yoga LA calls home is all black paint, purple lights and sage-y smells; music growls ominously from the speaker system above.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 27, 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
He remembered their ferocious growls and snarls when the grizzly appeared.
From "I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964" by Lauren Tarshis
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
“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
Churro didn’t know why Patience was mad, but he stood beside her and growled menacingly on her behalf.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
"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
They’re playing tough basketball, witness everything growling Marcus Smart does down the stretch, from steals to treys.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026
The extraordinary scene with the medium in “Rashomon” stems directly from Noh, with the voice of the dead nobleman distorted into a screeching, growling outburst.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2025
Besides the goats and chickens and growling domovoi, the barn was still and empty.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
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