growl
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for growl, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A low, rumbling, threatening sound, especially one made by an animal.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A low, rumbling, threatening sound, especially one made by an animal.
“The dog let out a growl as the stranger approached.”
Opposites
How to use growl
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
growl menacingly
a low growl
Etymology
From Middle English words describing rumbling sounds in the bowels, ultimately of imitative origin — the sound itself likely shaped the word.
Full origin of growl →Frequently asked questions
What does “growl” mean?
The word “growl” means a low, rumbling, threatening sound, especially one made by an animal. In plain terms, a deep, rough, threatening sound, or the act of making one.
How do you pronounce “growl”?
“Growl” is pronounced GROWL (/ˈɡɹaʊ̯l/ in IPA).
How do you use “growl” in a sentence?
Here is “growl” used in a sentence: “The dog let out a growl as the stranger approached.”
What part of speech is “growl”?
Depending on how it is used, “growl” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “growl” come from?
The word “growl” comes from Middle English. From Middle English words describing rumbling sounds in the bowels, ultimately of imitative origin — the sound itself likely shaped the word.
Is “growl” a common word?
“Growl” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “growl” have?
“Growl” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a low, rumbling, threatening sound, especially one made by an animal.
