What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
growling
Example
The dog was growling at the stranger. [growling: verb]
Example
I haven't eaten all day, and my stomach is growling loudly. [growling: present participle]
Example
He growled his response, clearly annoyed with the situation. [growled: past tense]
grumbling
Example
There was a grumbling sound coming from the engine, indicating a problem. [grumbling: present participle]
Example
She was grumbling about the long wait in line. [grumbling: verb]
Example
The sky was dark and grumbling with thunder. [grumbling: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grumbling is more commonly used than growling in everyday language. Grumbling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while growling is less common and more specific to animal sounds or aggressive human behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between growling and grumbling?
Both growling and grumbling are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, grumbling may be slightly more acceptable in certain situations, such as expressing mild dissatisfaction in a workplace setting.
