growly

[ grou-lee ]

adjective

, growl·i·er, growl·i·est.

1. resembling a growl in pitch and harshness:

   This cold has made my voice growly.

2. irritable; grouchy.

Other Words From

• growl·i·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of growly¹

First recorded in 1915–20; growl + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Here comes Tyson's team, a dozen bodyguards, growly and hard, in black leather hats that say KICK ASS.

From The Daily Beast

"Now just don't you overdo this Lord-of-Creation business, Mr. Man," says a deep, growly voice.

From Project Gutenberg

That senile old substitute of yours—the Dock—has been as growly-powly as a bear to-day.

From Project Gutenberg

Grumpy-growly, the father, was a jolly, cross old fellow—oh!

From Project Gutenberg

But I don't think he got it very bad, because we all knew by the noise he made that Big Growly wasn't really very mad.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps it is high pitched and squeaky; or, on the other hand, a "growly" bass suggestive of ill-nature.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Growly

What does growly mean?

Growly means resembling a growl—a deep, rumbling grrrrr sound made in the throat, like a guard dog makes when there is an intruder.

The verb growl means to make such a sound. Growling is typically interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or show hostility.

Growling is most often associated with dogs, but other animals can make growly sounds, such as bears. People can do this, too—a young child might make growly noises when throwing a tantrum. Sometimes, it’s used in the context of a thing that’s making a deep rumbling sound, as in There were a lot of growly engine noises coming from the garage.

In the context of people, the word growl 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. 

For this reason, the word growly is sometimes used to mean grouchy or irritable.

Example: You know how growly he can get before he’s had his morning coffee.

Where does growly come from?

The first records of the word growly come from around 1920. Its base word, growl, 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 growly means that it is making rumbling sounds, typically because you’re hungry. The word growl always involves a low-pitched sound, but it also 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 growly can humorously imply that it’s upset because it wants more food.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to growly?

• growl (verb, noun)

What are some synonyms for growly?

• rumbly
• grumbly
• grouchy
• irritable

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

 

• sound
• noise
• low-pitched
• dog
• stomach
• threatening
• menacing
• angry

How is growly used in real life?

Growly can be used in the context of rumbling sounds, hungry stomachs, and grouchy people, but it’s not all that commonly used.

Try going from the top of your range all the way to your bottom in your head voice and see if you can make a growly noise like that like a puppy. Once you feel it you’ll always be able to access the puppy growl https://t.co/pYcrGQG5WM

— anthony green (@AnthonyGreen) November 6, 2020

Each Batman movie is gonna be shot so dark that by 2033 it will devolve into a fully black screen with a guy barking in a growly voice, some punching sounds, an overbearing orchestral score, and that's IT, for three hours

— Matthew Perpetua (@perpetua) August 24, 2020

I've got a growly tummy but if I eat now I'll be fridge raiding later.

— Ann (without the E) (@AnniMurf) August 18, 2020

 

Try using growly!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of growly?

A. rumbly
B. high-pitched
C. grumbly
D. grouchy