growly
Americanadjective
-
resembling a growl in pitch and harshness.
This cold has made my voice growly.
-
irritable; grouchy.
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of growly
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.
There are people who prefer their sports growly and can’t stand the sight of players hugging and postgame jersey swaps.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026
“We still hear when they thought we would die,” Bourelly raps with a growly defiance and unabashed positivity.
From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2023
Despite being three feet high, Chucky is hyper-masculine with a growly, deep voice.
From Salon • Oct. 6, 2022
West’s music was sludgy and rough-edged, with growly vocals and squealing guitar solos.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2020
They would show each other sketches they were working on, and Calista would tell him stories about her art classes, and Hugo would laugh his big, growly old-man laugh.
From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
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.
