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# growl

verb (growl, growls, growled, growling); noun (a growl, growls)

«growl» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Of an animal like a dog, bear or lion, to make a low, rough, deep sound in the throat as a warning or because it is angry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#m1)
2. Of a person, to say something in a low, angry voice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#m2)
3. Of a stomach or engine, to make a low rumbling noise: my tummy is growling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#m3)

### In the lessons

In animal safety, a growling dog is giving a clear warning: stop, do not stare at it or run, back away slowly and leave it alone; never touch a dog that is growling, eating or sleeping. Growling is useful communication, not something to punish. In science, animals use sounds like growls, barks and purrs to communicate. In stories, writers use "growled" instead of "said" to show anger. Phrases: "growl at", "a low growl", "my stomach growled", "growled under his breath".

### Examples

- The dog growled when the boy reached for its bone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#x1)
- If a dog growls, back away slowly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#x2)
- The bear gave a deep growl. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#x3)
- "Get out!" the giant growled. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#x4)
- My stomach growled during the quiet test. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#x5)
- The car engine growled as it climbed the hill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#x6)
- Never tease a dog that is growling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#x7)
- The lion growled to warn the other lions away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#x8)
- "Nonsense, nonsense!" growled the sleepy Giant. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/#x9)

### Note

Regular verb: growled, growling. Spelling: ow as in "how" — g-r-o-w-l. Do not confuse "growl" with "grow" (get bigger). Similar animal sounds: snarl (with teeth showing), bark, roar, hiss.

## In Jewish tradition

To make a low angry sound, as a lion or a bear. People are also described as growling in grief.

**Interpretation.** Isaiah's picture of the people growling like bears and moaning like doves shows a nation in pain, looking for justice and rescue that seem far away.

### Examples

- They shall roar together like young lions; they shall growl as lions' whelps. (Prophets JER.51.38, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/growl/#x1)
- We all growl like bears, and mourn sore like doves; we look for right, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. (Prophets ISA.59.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/growl/#x2)

### Note

Regular verb: growled, growling. Spelling: ow as in "how" — g-r-o-w-l. Do not confuse "growl" with "grow" (get bigger). Similar animal sounds: snarl (with teeth showing), bark, roar, hiss.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «growl» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/growl/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«growl» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/growl.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «growl» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/growl/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«growl» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/growl.html) on Mova free.