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)
-
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
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:
It came to life with the inimitable growl of a vintage straight four that took me back to my teenage self with a rush of sadness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
He speaks with the same measured warmth as ever — that deep, lilting rumble that can shift from conspiratorial murmur to amused growl in a heartbeat — but he sometimes loses a name mid-thought.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2025
The object of his growl was a journalist who spent two years battling him on the Dodgers beat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2025
That stripped-back, detuned growl became the basis of heavy metal.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2025
Shomari’s voice lowered to a growl, his expression holding nothing but disgust.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
This has left fans wondering whether the singer will be able to recreate the distinctive growls and screams which appear in Count Your Blessings.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
My days are filled with the beeps and growls of bulldozers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2025
His father growls, “Because of him we have economic confusion.”
From Slate ● Nov. 13, 2025
Harrison Ford joined the movement in “1923,” a “Yellowstone” prequel, as a rancher defending his rural paradise from modern forces, who growls, “I do it for the land.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
The rhino hybrid growls, its massive muscles bulging.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
“Jameson never bared his teeth, growled at either officer, or otherwise displayed any attempt whatsoever to attack,” the lawsuit stated.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026
Although my stomach growled with anticipation, my heart and mind remained unsettled.
From Salon ● Jan. 10, 2026
I got growled at once by a mountain lion but still couldn’t see it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2025
“I grew up believing in Darwinism,” he growled.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 19, 2023
She handed Churro up first, and he growled and barked at her and Marcus and the storm.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
It’s 8 pm on a Thursday and my stomach is growling for food.
From Salon ● Mar. 3, 2026
You’ve heard of Goldilocks and the three bears, but not even five growling beasts can disrupt this rally.
From Barron's ● Nov. 11, 2025
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
She’d laugh, and I’d kiss her behind her ears while growling more as she closed her eyes and smiled.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2025
Nothing makes me hungrier than people talking about food, and my stomach is already growling like it belongs in a cage.
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
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.
