A growler can mean a few different things, but in everyday English it most often refers to a large container used to carry draft beer, usually from a brewery or bar. It can also mean a person or animal that makes a low, rough growling sound.
People use the word growler in normal conversation when talking about beer, especially in places where you can take draft beer home in a refillable jug. In other situations, it may describe something noisy or someone who is grumpy and speaks in a rough voice.
Meaning & Usage
In modern use, growler is most commonly a beer container. For example, someone might say, “I picked up a growler from the brewery.” It can also be used more loosely for a person, dog, or machine that makes a growling sound.
Examples
“Let’s fill a growler and take it home.”
“The dog was a little growler when strangers came near.”
“That old engine is a real growler.”
Is a growler always related to beer?
No. While beer is the most common meaning today, growler can also describe a person, animal, or machine that growls.
Where do people use the word growler most often?
You’ll hear it most often in places with craft beer culture, where people buy draft beer in refillable containers.
Is growler a formal word?
No, it’s a casual word. People usually use it in everyday speech, not formal writing.
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