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Purr vs Growl - What's the difference?

purr | growl |

In intransitive terms the difference between purr and growl

is that purr is to make a vibrating throaty sound, as from pleasure while growl is to utter a deep guttural sound, as an angry animal; to give forth an angry, grumbling sound.

In transitive terms the difference between purr and growl

is that purr is to say (something) in a throaty, seductive manner while growl is to express (something) by growling.

purr

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • Of a cat, to make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented.
  • To say (something) in a throaty, seductive manner.
  • * 2008 , C. E. Osborne, Black Gold Death in the Sun (page 12)
    • "This is Cindy," she purred again, flashing a smile of perfect white teeth surrounded by full red lips.
  • To make a vibrating throaty sound, as from pleasure.
  • (of an engine) To make a low and consistent rumbling sound.
  • * 2001 , E. C. Craver, Last Reunion (page 159)
    • Beverly passed the city limits sign with the Porsche's motor purring contentedly after its two hundred and fifty-mile romp.

    Derived terms

    * purrer * purr like a kitten

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The vibrating sound made by a cat in its throat when contented.
  • * 1918 , Sarath Kumar Ghosh, The wonders of the jungle - Volume 2 (page 113)
    • Instead, the tiger looked around, and gave a purr , and then a growl. What did that mean? The man could not tell. Then the tiger just flung upon the man some of the sand from the side of the hollow.
  • A throaty, seductive sound of pleasure made by a person.
  • * 2006 , Brenda Williamson, Wolverton Blood (page 53)
    • The trill of her purr echoed inside his mouth when he kissed her again. Clutching at his shirt, her fingers traveled the muscles in his back.
  • The low consistent rumble made by an engine at slow speed
  • * 1997 , Susan Wood, A Fly in Amber (page 191)
    • I sat still in the car and listened to the soft purr of the engine and my beating heart. Then slowly, and as silently as possible, I drove the car back to camp.

    Derived terms

    * purrlike

    See also

    * meow English onomatopoeias

    growl

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (dialectal) * (l) (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The deep, threatening sound made in the throat by an animal; a grumbling sound.
  • The sound made by a hungry stomach.

    • Derived terms

    * death growl

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To utter a deep guttural sound, as an angry animal; to give forth an angry, grumbling sound.
    • The dog growled at me as I walked past.
  • To express (something) by growling.
    • The old man growled his displeasure at the postman.
  • (software) To send a user a message via the software library.