growl

growl — verb

1. to produce a deep, throaty, rough noise — the kind an angry or frightened animal

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to produce a deep, throaty, rough noise — the kind an angry or frightened animal makes when it senses danger or wants to warn others to stay away.

例句

The stray dog growled at anyone who came near its food bowl.

growl at + noun phrase (target of threat)

A low growling sound came from behind the door, and the postman stepped back.

growling as participial adjective

同義詞
  • snarl

    a more aggressive growl that often shows the teeth, and may be louder or higher-pitched

  • rumble

    a deep, continuous sound, used for thunder or stomach noises rather than animals

反義詞
  • purr

    a soft, continuous sound of contentment, opposite in meaning and emotion

文法句型

growl (at + noun phrase)

用法筆記

Unlike 'bark', which is a short, sharp sound, a growl is a long, continuous noise from deep in the throat. Thunder and machinery can also growl.

常見錯誤

❌The dog growled me when I walked past.
✅The dog growled at me when I walked past.
💡When the target of the growl is mentioned, you need the preposition 'at'.

2. to speak in a deep, rough, irritated tone — the kind of voice that shows you are

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to speak in a deep, rough, irritated tone — the kind of voice that shows you are annoyed, upset, or in no mood to be patient with someone.

例句

"Get out of my way," the taxi driver growled at the slow-moving pedestrian.

growl + direct speech + at [target]

When the waiter asked about the soup, Minho growled that it was far too cold.

growl + that-clause

同義詞
  • snap

    to speak sharply and briefly, implying impatience rather than a deep angry tone

  • grumble

    to complain in a low, dissatisfied voice, less aggressive than growl

反義詞
  • murmur

    to speak softly and gently, the opposite of the rough, angry tone of growl

文法句型

growl + direct speech

growl at + noun phrase

growl + that-clause

用法筆記

Frequently used with quoted speech placed before the verb ('"…," he growled') or as a reporting verb. The tone is always rough and irritated — not simply loud.

常見錯誤

❌He growled at me that he was tired.
✅He growled that he was tired.
💡Use 'at' only for the target when the direct object of the anger is a person, not for what is said.

growl — noun