Explanation at your level:
When a dog is angry, it makes a sound. This sound is a growl. If the dog is angry, it growls at you. It is a loud, rumbly sound. You should be careful if you hear a dog growling!
A growl is a low sound. Animals like lions or dogs make this sound when they are protecting something. Sometimes, people growl too. If a person is very tired or angry, they might growl when they talk to you. It means they are not happy.
The verb growls describes a guttural, rumbling noise. It is often used to show that an animal is feeling aggressive or defensive. In human contexts, it describes a tone of voice that is harsh or grumpy. If someone 'growls' a sentence, they are likely frustrated or impatient, and their voice sounds low and rough.
Growls is a descriptive verb that captures both physical sound and emotional state. While primarily associated with animal aggression, its figurative use in human communication is common in literature to convey suppressed anger or irritation. Using this word adds nuance to your writing, helping the reader 'hear' the character's mood rather than just being told they are angry.
Beyond its literal definition as a vocalization of territoriality in animals, growls functions as a powerful tool for characterization in narrative prose. It suggests a lack of refinement or an overflow of negative emotion. Whether describing the mechanical 'growl' of a powerful engine or the 'growl' of a person forced to speak against their will, the word evokes a sense of raw, unpolished energy that standard verbs like 'said' or 'shouted' simply cannot replicate.
The etymological roots of growls link it to a broader phonetic family of 'gr-' sounds that evoke discomfort and friction. In a mastery context, we observe how the word bridges the gap between biological instinct and psychological expression. It is frequently employed in high-register literary works to emphasize the 'animalistic' side of human nature—the primal, guttural reactions that occur when social decorum breaks down. Understanding its usage requires an appreciation for both its sonic quality and its capacity to denote a shift from civilized discourse to base, reactionary communication.
30秒でわかる単語
- Growls is a verb meaning to make a low, guttural sound.
- It is used for animals expressing anger or warning.
- It can also describe a person's grumpy or aggressive tone.
- The word itself is onomatopoeic, sounding like the noise it describes.
When we talk about growls, we are usually describing a sound that comes from deep in the chest. It is that low, rumbling noise that animals make when they are feeling threatened or territorial. Think of a dog protecting its favorite toy or a lion warning someone to back off.
However, the word isn't just for animals! We use it to describe human behavior too. If someone is having a really bad day and they answer a question with a low, grumpy, or unfriendly tone, we might say they 'growled' their response. It implies that the person is annoyed, impatient, or perhaps in a bad mood.
The word growl is what linguists call an onomatopoeic word. This means the word itself sounds like the noise it describes! It likely entered Middle English around the 15th century, possibly influenced by Middle Dutch words like 'grollen' which meant to grumble or complain.
Over time, the word evolved from simply describing a grumbling noise to specifically identifying the guttural warning sound made by animals. It shares a linguistic family with other 'gr-' words that imply roughness or irritation, such as 'grumble,' 'grunt,' and 'grouch.' It is fascinating how our ancestors created words that mimic the very sounds they heard in nature.
You will most often see growls used in storytelling or when describing animal behavior. In a casual conversation, you might say, 'The dog growls at the mailman.' This is a very standard, neutral way to describe a behavior.
In a more literary or dramatic sense, you might read: 'He growled a reply.' This tells the reader that the character is not just speaking, but speaking with an edge of anger or frustration. It is a great way to show emotion without just saying 'he was angry.' Use it when you want to emphasize a rough or aggressive tone.
While 'growl' doesn't have a massive list of idioms, it is often used in descriptive phrases. 1. Growl at someone: To speak to someone in an angry way. 2. Growl in one's throat: To make a sound of suppressed anger. 3. A growling stomach: Used when you are very hungry. 4. Growl out a command: To give an order in a harsh, impatient voice. 5. With a growl: Used to describe the manner in which someone finishes a sentence.
As a verb, growls is the third-person singular present form. The base form is 'growl,' and the past tense is 'growled.' It is a regular verb, making it easy to conjugate! The pronunciation is /ɡraʊlz/, which rhymes with 'bowls' (as in soup bowls) or 'trolls.'
When using it in a sentence, you can follow it with a direct object (e.g., 'The dog growls at the cat') or use it to describe a specific way of speaking (e.g., 'She growled, "Leave me alone!"'). It is a very versatile word for adding sensory detail to your writing.
Fun Fact
It is an onomatopoeic word, meaning it sounds like what it describes.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'ow' sounds like 'cow', followed by a clear 'lz' sound.
Similar to UK, very rhotic 'r' sound.
Common Errors
- pronouncing the 'w' as a 'v'
- making the 'lz' sound too much like 'ls'
- stressing the wrong syllable (it's one syllable)
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in context.
Easy to use in narrative writing.
Simple to pronounce.
Easy to distinguish.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Third-person singular -s
He growls.
Onomatopoeia
Words that sound like their meaning.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The dog growls vs. The dogs growl.
Examples by Level
The big dog growls.
big dog = loud sound
Subject + verb
My dog growls.
my dog = my pet
Possessive pronoun
He growls now.
now = present time
Adverb of time
The wolf growls.
wolf = wild animal
Noun + verb
It growls loudly.
loudly = big sound
Adverb of manner
She growls too.
too = also
Adverb
The cat growls.
cat = small animal
Simple sentence
Who growls there?
who = question
Question form
The dog growls at the mailman.
He growls when he is hungry.
The bear growls in the forest.
She growls at her brother.
The tiger growls at the zoo.
My stomach growls after school.
The monster growls in the movie.
He growls a short 'no'.
The dog growls whenever a stranger approaches the gate.
The engine growls as the car accelerates up the hill.
She growls in frustration when the computer crashes.
The lion growls to warn the other animals away.
He growls a greeting, clearly not in the mood for talk.
My stomach growls loudly during the quiet meeting.
The actor growls his lines to sound more menacing.
The guard dog growls, keeping everyone at a distance.
The old man growls at the children playing in his yard.
The thunder growls in the distance before the storm hits.
He growls a protest, but eventually agrees to the plan.
The wolf growls, baring its teeth at the intruders.
Her voice growls with hidden anger as she speaks.
The machinery growls to life after being dormant for years.
The villain growls a threat before disappearing into the night.
He growls his disapproval, making the room go silent.
The protagonist growls a curse under his breath, his patience finally exhausted.
The city itself seems to growl with the restless energy of millions.
She growls a response that is barely audible over the music.
The boxer growls at his opponent, eyes locked in a silent challenge.
The cello growls in the lower register, creating a sense of foreboding.
He growls his defiance, refusing to yield to the pressure.
The bear growls, a vibration that rattles the very air around them.
The engine growls with a deep, throaty roar that signals immense power.
The poet describes how the winter wind growls through the barren branches.
He growls his dissent, the sound a mixture of exhaustion and pure stubbornness.
The ancient statue seems to growl at those who dare disturb its rest.
The narrative growls with a dark, cynical tone that defines the era.
She growls a warning, her eyes flashing with a primal intensity.
The bass guitar growls, providing a gritty foundation for the melody.
The mountain growls with the shifting of tectonic plates deep below.
He growls his final words, a testament to his unyielding spirit.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"growl at the moon"
to complain about something you cannot change
Stop growling at the moon and just finish your work.
idiomatic"a growling stomach"
being very hungry
I can't focus with this growling stomach.
casual"growl like a bear"
to be very grumpy or loud
He wakes up growling like a bear.
casual"growl out a response"
to speak in a rough, angry way
He growled out a response to the judge.
formal/literary"with a growl of annoyance"
showing clear irritation
He closed the book with a growl of annoyance.
literary"growl of the engine"
the deep sound of a machine
The growl of the engine signaled our departure.
neutralEasily Confused
both are animal sounds
howl is high/long, growl is low/guttural
The wolf howls at the moon vs the dog growls at the stranger.
both involve low sounds
grumble is for complaining speech
He grumbled about the food.
both are low
grunt is short/effort-based
He grunted while lifting the weight.
both are aggressive
roar is very loud/open-mouthed
The lion roared.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + growls + at + object
The dog growls at the cat.
Subject + growls + [quote]
He growls, 'Go away!'
Subject + growls + with + emotion
She growls with frustration.
Subject + growls + to + verb
The engine growls to life.
Subject + growls + prep phrase
He growls under his breath.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
6/10
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
wolves howl, they don't growl when calling out
growl is for negative emotions
subject-verb agreement
growls are low and guttural
growl implies anger
Tips
The 'GR' Trick
Remember that words starting with 'GR' (grumble, grunt, growl) often involve low, negative sounds.
Show, Don't Tell
Use 'growled' instead of 'said angrily' to make your writing more vivid.
Pet Etiquette
If a dog growls at you, back away slowly—it's a clear warning.
Verb Agreement
Remember the -s for he, she, and it (The dog growls).
Throat Sound
Try to feel the vibration in your throat when you say 'growl'.
Don't Confuse with Howl
Howl is for wolves calling out; growl is for warnings.
Onomatopoeia
The word sounds like the noise itself!
Contextualize
Write a short story using the word to help it stick.
Rhyme Check
If it rhymes with 'bowls', you are saying it right.
Human Context
Only use 'growl' for people when they are very frustrated or grumpy.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
G-R-O-W-L: Grumpy Rumbles Often Warn Listeners.
Visual Association
Imagine a dog with its lips curled back, making a deep sound.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to make a low sound in your throat next time you feel a bit grumpy (just for practice!).
語源
Middle English / Middle Dutch
Original meaning: To grumble or complain
文化的な背景
None, but avoid using it to describe people in professional settings as it implies aggression.
Used often in pet ownership contexts and literary descriptions of villains.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the park
- The dog growls at others
- Keep your distance
- He is just growling
In a story
- He growled a threat
- The villain growled
- A low growl filled the room
Hunger
- My stomach growls
- I'm starving
- Hear that growl?
Mechanics
- The engine growls
- Hear the motor growl
- Sounds like a growl
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever heard a dog growl at you?"
"What do you do when you hear a dog growl?"
"Do you ever growl when you are hungry?"
"Can you think of a movie character who growls?"
"How would you describe the sound of a growl to someone?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt like growling at someone.
Describe a character who growls when they are angry.
Why do you think animals growl?
Write a short story where a machine 'growls' to life.
よくある質問
8 問Yes, but it describes a tone of voice, not a literal animal sound.
It is almost always a sign of negative emotion or warning.
Growled.
It is usually low and guttural, not necessarily high-volume.
Yes, especially when they feel threatened.
Yes, it is a common metaphor for a powerful, rumbling engine.
No, a bark is sharp and short; a growl is long and rumbly.
Subject + growls + at + object.
自分をテスト
The dog ___ when it is angry.
Growls is the correct verb for an angry dog sound.
What does it mean if someone growls at you?
Growling is a sign of anger or warning.
A growl is a high-pitched, happy sound.
A growl is a low, guttural sound usually associated with negative emotions.
Word
意味
Matching sounds to their meaning.
The dog growls loudly.
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Summary
Growls are low, rumbling sounds that usually signal anger, warning, or deep frustration.
- Growls is a verb meaning to make a low, guttural sound.
- It is used for animals expressing anger or warning.
- It can also describe a person's grumpy or aggressive tone.
- The word itself is onomatopoeic, sounding like the noise it describes.
The 'GR' Trick
Remember that words starting with 'GR' (grumble, grunt, growl) often involve low, negative sounds.
Show, Don't Tell
Use 'growled' instead of 'said angrily' to make your writing more vivid.
Pet Etiquette
If a dog growls at you, back away slowly—it's a clear warning.
Verb Agreement
Remember the -s for he, she, and it (The dog growls).
