growl

[ groul ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a deep guttural sound of anger or hostility:

   The dog growled at the mail carrier.

2. to murmur or complain angrily; grumble.
3. to rumble:

   The thunder growled.

4. Jazz. to use flutter-tonguing in playing a wind instrument.

verb (used with object)

1. to express by growling.

noun

1. the act or sound of growling.
2. Jazz. the technique of flutter-tonguing.

growl

/ ɡraʊl /

verb

1. (of animals, esp when hostile) to utter (sounds) in a low inarticulate manner

   the dog growled at us

2. to utter (words) in a gruff or angry manner

   he growled an apology

3. intr to make sounds suggestive of an animal growling

   the thunder growled around the lake

noun

1. the act or sound of growling
2. jazz an effect resembling a growl, produced at the back of the throat when playing a wind instrument

Derived Forms

• ˈgrowlingly, adverb

Other Words From

• growling·ly adverb
• under·growl noun
• un·growling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of growl¹

1350–1400; Middle English groule to rumble (said of the bowels); cognate with German grollen

Word History and Origins

Origin of growl¹

C18: from earlier grolle, from Old French grouller to grumble

Synonym Study

See complain.

Example Sentences

"All of a sudden there was a horrendous growl and this dog came running and pounced on Alfred," Ms Gunston said.

From BBC

A decorator working alone also reported hearing doors slamming and then a growl in his ear.

From BBC

Seizing 13 audiotapes from the compound, police found hours of Dederich ranting menacingly in his distinctive bombastic growl.

From Los Angeles Times

“Sometimes you want to keep the growl,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said.

From Seattle Times

For most of his career — except on those rare occasions when he got to play a lead role — Coleman’s job was to pop in for a scene or two to growl and grumble in a manner that was generally both humorous and more than a little scary.

From New York Times

Related Words

• grunt
• howl
• moan
• rumble