growl

growl — verb

1. to produce a deep, throaty, rough noise — the kind an angry or frightened animal

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to produce a deep, throaty, rough noise — the kind an angry or frightened animal makes when it senses danger or wants to warn others to stay away.

Example

The stray dog growled at anyone who came near its food bowl.

growl at + noun phrase (target of threat)

A low growling sound came from behind the door, and the postman stepped back.

growling as participial adjective

Common collocations
  • growl at someone
  • growl loudly
  • low growl (noun phrase)
  • deep growl
Synonyms
  • snarl

    a more aggressive growl that often shows the teeth, and may be louder or higher-pitched

  • rumble

    a deep, continuous sound, used for thunder or stomach noises rather than animals

Antonyms
  • purr

    a soft, continuous sound of contentment, opposite in meaning and emotion

Grammar Patterns

growl (at + noun phrase)

Usage Note

Unlike 'bark', which is a short, sharp sound, a growl is a long, continuous noise from deep in the throat. Thunder and machinery can also growl.

Common Mistakes

The dog growled me when I walked past.
The dog growled at me when I walked past.
When the target of the growl is mentioned, you need the preposition 'at'.

2. to speak in a deep, rough, irritated tone — the kind of voice that shows you are

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to speak in a deep, rough, irritated tone — the kind of voice that shows you are annoyed, upset, or in no mood to be patient with someone.

Example

"Get out of my way," the taxi driver growled at the slow-moving pedestrian.

growl + direct speech + at [target]

When the waiter asked about the soup, Minho growled that it was far too cold.

growl + that-clause

Common collocations
  • growl an order
  • growl a reply
  • growl at someone
  • growl something under one's breath
Synonyms
  • snap

    to speak sharply and briefly, implying impatience rather than a deep angry tone

  • grumble

    to complain in a low, dissatisfied voice, less aggressive than growl

Antonyms
  • murmur

    to speak softly and gently, the opposite of the rough, angry tone of growl

Grammar Patterns

growl + direct speech

growl at + noun phrase

growl + that-clause

Usage Note

Frequently used with quoted speech placed before the verb ('"…," he growled') or as a reporting verb. The tone is always rough and irritated — not simply loud.

Common Mistakes

He growled at me that he was tired.
He growled that he was tired.
Use 'at' only for the target when the direct object of the anger is a person, not for what is said.

growl — noun

Word family

  • growling
    adjectiveB2
  • growler
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe low, rough sounds, but they differ in source and intent. 'Growl' is the deep, continuous throat-sound of an angry or defensive animal — a dog growls when it feels threatened. 'Snarl' is a sharper, more aggressive noise with the teeth exposed, carrying stronger hostility. 'Rumble' applies to inanimate things such as thunder, a truck engine, or an empty stomach — it lacks the emotional charge of growl. 'Howl' is a long, loud, rising cry made by wolves or dogs, expressing loneliness or communicating over distance rather than anger. For example: a dog growls at a stranger near its owner, but howls when left alone all day.

growl ↗snarlrumblehowl ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • let out a growl
  • with a growl
  • a growl of anger

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'growl' comes from Middle English 'groulen', which probably imitates the actual sound of a growling animal. Similar words exist in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch 'grollen' and German 'grollen', both meaning to make a low, rumbling sound. The word has been used in English since at least the 1500s.