growl

verb

ˈgrau̇(-ə)l 

growled; growling; growls

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

Synonyms of growl

• complain
• scream
• whine
• moan
• mutter

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 on the Web

The big question is whether people who pay hundreds of thousands of euros for growling gas-guzzlers will also shell out for electric versions. —Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Jack White, who growled and grinded as the singer/guitarist of the White Stripes and has since positioned himself as a primal rock god on his own, is showing a new side as a sculptor with a show opening in a London gallery run by none other than Damien Hirst. —Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 22 May 2026

Or any of the Republican gym bros peddling supplements online and growling lifestyle advice into webcams. —Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026

At that point, your stomach has probably been growling for a good hour, so answer that call with some tacos at Taqueria Rosita. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English groulen, grollen

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for growl

• foul
• foule
• fowl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl
• afoul
• wildfowl
• waterfowl

Kids Definition

growl

verb

ˈgrau̇(ə)l

1

a

: rumble entry 1

b

: to utter a deep threatening sound

the dog growled

2

: complain sense 1

growl noun

growler

ˈgrau̇-lər

noun