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Definition of growl verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

growl

verb
 
/ɡraʊl/
 
/ɡraʊl/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they growl
 
/ɡraʊl/
 
/ɡraʊl/
he / she / it growls
 
/ɡraʊlz/
 
/ɡraʊlz/
past simple growled
 
/ɡraʊld/
 
/ɡraʊld/
past participle growled
 
/ɡraʊld/
 
/ɡraʊld/
-ing form growling
 
/ˈɡraʊlɪŋ/
 
/ˈɡraʊlɪŋ/
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  1. [intransitive] growl (at somebody/something) (of animals, especially dogs) to make a low sound in the throat, usually as a sign of anger
    • The dog growled at them.
    Extra Examples
    • The dog growled softly at me.
    • (figurative) Her stomach was growling with hunger.
    Topics Animalsc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • angrily
    • ferociously
    • fiercely
    phrases
    • growl something under your breath
    preposition
    • at
    • in
    • with
    See full entry
  2. [transitive] to say something in a low angry voice
    • + speech (at somebody) ‘Who are you?’ he growled at the stranger.
    • growl something (at somebody) She growled a sarcastic reply.
    Extra Examples
    • ‘I'm a desperate man,’ he growled menacingly.
    • ‘Mosquitos!’ she growled under her breath.
    • to growl in annoyance
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • angrily
    • ferociously
    • fiercely
    phrases
    • growl something under your breath
    preposition
    • at
    • in
    • with
    See full entry
  3. Word Originmid 17th cent.: probably imitative.
See growl in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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