What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
growl
Example
The dog began to growl when the stranger approached. [growl: verb]
Example
Her stomach growled loudly during the meeting, embarrassing her. [growled: past tense]
Example
He gave a low growl of disapproval when he saw the mess in the kitchen. [growl: noun]
roar
Example
The lion let out a mighty roar that echoed through the savannah. [roar: noun]
Example
The sound of the airplane's engines was so loud it sounded like a roar. [roar: noun]
Example
The fans let out a deafening roar when their team scored the winning goal. [roar: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Roar is more commonly used than growl in everyday language. Roar is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while growl is less common and usually associated with animal behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between growl and roar?
While growl is typically associated with an informal tone, roar can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.