growl

verb \ ˈgrau̇(-ə)l \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of growl

intransitive verb

1 a : rumble

his stomach growled

b : to utter a growl

the dog growled at the stranger

2 : to complain angrily

transitive verb

: to utter with a growl : utter angrily

See growl defined for English-language learners

See growl defined for kids

Examples of growl in a Sentence

I could hear a dog growling behind me.
My stomach's been growling all morning.
“What do you want?” he growled.
He's always growling about the government.

Recent Examples of growl from the Web

Dombroski’s growling melody joining in, Paluzzi supplying the high harmonies of the chorus.

— brian mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "Sponge gears up for Detroit reunion: 'No combination like this five'," 3 May 2018
While advocacy groups are likely to praise many aspects of the House’s spending document, fiscal watchdogs may growl.

— matt stout and joshua miller, BostonGlobe.com, "House budget calls for State Police oversight and rebuffs Baker’s Medicaid plan," 12 Apr. 2018
Go ahead and make your ringtone the audio of Sam Heughan growling that last bit.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Exclusive Deleted Outlander Season 3 Scene Reveals Some Unusual Pillow Talk," 11 Apr. 2018
The play area includes safety flooring as well as interactive elements -- the sleeping dragon snores, the alligator growls, and the castle's bridge and cave light up when crawled into.

— jennifer larino, NOLA.com, "Lakeside Shopping Center is opening a new kids' play area this month," 6 Apr. 2018
Watch the video — by the last verse, he’s gone full Alice, with the growling vocals that make the records and performances so great.

— bill goodykoontz, azcentral, "Was Alice Cooper good in 'Jesus Christ Superstar?'," 2 Apr. 2018
The helicopter leaves from a base a few miles from our guesthouse and growls rather than whirs into action—a heavyweight military-style machine filled with our group of 15.

— sophy roberts, Condé Nast Traveler, "Exploring Kamchatka, Russia's Adventure Playground," 22 Mar. 2018
On the outskirts of Sepporis, an idyllic biblical village, Goffer rode with his daughter, while his son took off on his own, kicking up dirt behind him as the machines growled along the dusty trails.

— avi jorisch, Newsweek, "How a Paralyzed Man Reinvented the Wheelchair to Help People Walk Again," 6 Mar. 2018
Surprisingly, a couple of hours after I was finished, my stomach started growling.

— charles passy, WSJ, "Please Don’t Make Me Eat Another Bite of This Delicious Chocolate," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'growl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of growl

Middle English groulen, grollen

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

growl Synonyms

Phrases

kick up a fuss;

growl

noun

Definition of growl

: a deep guttural inarticulate sound

See growl defined for English-language learners

Examples of growl in a Sentence

The dog gave a menacing growl.
He answered my question with a growl.
We could hear a growl of thunder in the distance.

Recent Examples of growl from the Web

Want to really know what makes a country’s belly growl?

— bon appétit, Bon Appetit, "Our Highly Subjective But Very Smart Guide to Traveling," 30 Apr. 2018
Four back surgeries later, including a spinal fusion that finally worked, Tiger isn’t quite roaring again, but there is an unmistakable growl in the warm August air.

— tara sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "Nobody brings out the roars like Tiger," 6 Apr. 2018
That presentation raised some growls among neighbors.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Future dog park in Hales Corners might depend on West Allis success in starting dog parks," 31 Jan. 2018
The study involved playing recordings of dog growls captured in a number of different scenarios — guarding food, playing tug of war, or feeling threatened by a stranger—for 40 people and asking them to identify the context of each growl.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "WATCH: Study Shows Dogs Are More Obedient to Women Than Men," 12 Mar. 2018
His distinctive speech-music, though a little rougher and breathier these days, has not altered, a shapely sequence of rhythmic, pendent clauses that resolve in a bassless but confiding growl.

— james parker, The Atlantic, "Blue Planet II," 10 Mar. 2018
The idle stays high for a few minutes with a growl from the tail outlets that’s so intoxicating the driver will just sit there listening . . .

— steve siler, Car and Driver, "2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Manual," 28 Feb. 2018
Both records are laced with Partridge's distinct, bluesy growl, lo-fi technique and deep, lyrical appeal.

— jared boyd, AL.com, "Former preacher finds calling as Alabama folk artist," 27 Feb. 2018
But stressed dogs can display aggression, growl, excessively lick their paws and lips, and yes, even yawn.

— cathy m. rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, "The top signs your dog is stressed," 5 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of growl

1715

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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GROWL Defined for English Language Learners

growl

verb

Definition of growl for English Language Learners

of an animal : to make a deep threatening sound
: to make a low sound like the sound of a growling animal
: to say (something) in an angry way

growl

noun

Definition of growl for English Language Learners

: a deep sound made by an animal; also : a similar sound

GROWL Defined for Kids

growl

verb \ ˈgrau̇l \

Definition of growl for Students

growled; growling

1 : to make a deep threatening sound

The dog growled.

2 : to make a low rumbling noise

My stomach is growling.

3 : to complain or say in an angry way

“Only use them when we absolutely have to,” growled Azaz disgustedly.
—Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

growl

noun

Definition of growl for Students

1 : a deep threatening sound (as of an animal)

2 : a grumbling or muttered complaint

Learn More about growl

See words that rhyme with growl Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for growl Spanish Central: Translation of growl Nglish: Translation of growl for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of growl for Arabic speakers

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growl

Definition of growl

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Origin and Etymology of growl

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growl

Definition of growl

Examples of growl in a Sentence

Recent Examples of growl from the Web

First Known Use of growl

GROWL Defined for English Language Learners

growl

Definition of growl for English Language Learners

growl

Definition of growl for English Language Learners

GROWL Defined for Kids

growl

Definition of growl for Students

growl

Definition of growl for Students

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