noun
Uncommon
growl
GROWL
Growl (noun) means a low, rumbling, threatening sound, especially one made by an animal. Example: “The dog let out a growl as the stranger approached.”
noun
1
A low, rumbling, threatening sound, especially one made by an animal.
"The dog let out a growl as the stranger approached."
verb
1
To make this kind of low, threatening sound.
"The bear growled and backed away slowly."
"My stomach growled loudly during the meeting."
How to use growl
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA deep, rough, threatening sound, or the act of making one.
Common pairings
growl menacingly
a low growl
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Word forms
- Plural
- growls
- Third person singular
- growls
- Past tense
- growled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog let out a _____ as the stranger approached.
Etymology
From Middle English words describing rumbling sounds in the bowels, ultimately of imitative origin — the sound itself likely shaped the word.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for growl
See all rhymes for 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.
