# growling

/ˈɡɹoʊɫɪŋ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈaʊlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/growling
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a low, angry sound that a person or animal makes. You often hear this when someone is upset or when a dog is warning others to stay away.

For teachers: a low, guttural sound made by a person or animal, typically as a sign of anger or warning. Often used to describe the vocalisation of a large mammal or a human expressing irritation.

## Examples

- The dog gave a low growling sound when the mailman arrived.
- A deep growling from the back of the house made the children run to their mother immediately.
- The growling of the engine grew louder as the car approached the steep hill, signaling the driver's frustration with the slow traffic.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.