prowl
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
idioms
verb
noun
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the act of prowling
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moving around stealthily
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zealously pursuing members of the opposite sex
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Synonym Usage
See lurk.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have prowledperfect
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has prowledperfect 3rd person singular
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have been prowlingperfect progressive
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is prowlingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am prowlingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been prowlingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are prowlingprogressive
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prowlingparticiple
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prowlssingular 3rd person
Past
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had prowledperfect
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were prowlingprogressive plural
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had been prowlingperfect progressive
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was prowlingprogressive singular
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prowledsimple
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prowledparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of prowl
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English prollen; origin uncertain
Explanation
If you move stealthily — like you're looking for something to prey on — then you prowl. Your cat might prowl around the room and pounce on your feet, which is cute if you're awake, but annoying when you're asleep. The noun prowl means the act of moving as if to capture prey. You could take a prowl through the music shop and try to find your favorite vintage album. Prowl is also used in the phrase "on the prowl," which implies that the person doing the prowling is looking for a romantic partner. Your idea of a fun Saturday night might be staying home while your friends go on the prowl at the dance club.
Vocabulary lists containing prowl
Unit 1: Telling Details
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Touching Spirit Bear
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Where the Red Fern Grows
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Whooo’s There Owl Prowl, guided hike and educational activities.
From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2015
Another woman sets out to put together an Olivia-Pope-from-Scandal wardrobe on the cheap, and, with the wisdom of crowds and the Prowl editorial team, puts together a season’s worth of sleek monochrome ensembles.
From Slate • Nov. 26, 2013
If you have a lead on something better, join the Prowl and help a girl out.
From Slate • Nov. 26, 2013
SAT Owl party, learn about owls, followed by Prowl hike into the forest to call our resident barred owls, for ages 8 and older, space on walk limited, 8 p.m.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 25, 2012
"Prowl in your library and unearth more of your secrets."
From Success A Novel by Adams, Samuel Hopkins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
