Synonyms

prowl

American

[proul] / praʊl /

verb (used without object)

to rove or go about stealthily, as in search of prey, something to steal, etc.

Synonyms:

roam

verb (used with object)

to rove over or through in search of what may be found.

The cat prowled the alleys in search of food.

noun

act of prowling.

idioms

on the prowl, in the act of prowling; searching stealthily.

The cat is on the prowl for mice.

prowl British

/ praʊl /

verb

to move stealthily around (a place) as if in search of prey or plunder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

the act of prowling
1. moving around stealthily
2. zealously pursuing members of the opposite sex

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See lurk.

Other Word Forms

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.

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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.

Baillie Mishler and Lauryn Menard, the founders of the Oakland, Calif., design studio Prowl, would like to think so.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2022

“SPD, Sammamish Police on the Prowl for Car Prowlers,” the release is headlined, without noting that one of these agencies actually let Washington’s Most Wanted get away.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 7, 2014

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

I've always liked the ersatz novelty number "Fowl Owl on the Prowl," from the soundtrack to In the Heat of the Night.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2011

And Bab-ba kissed Tig, the Tiger, and followed Hoodo further into the jungle, till they met Prowl, the Wolf.

From The Jungle Baby by Farrow, G. E. (George Edward)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023