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

prowler noun
prowlingly adverb
unprowling adjective

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.

Big Pharma is on the prowl for biotech companies, but it’s acting stingy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

“Goldilocks” was the byword for the bull market of the past few years, but now the three bears—oil, gold, and the Fed—are on the prowl, and there may be no happy ending.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

The SG-1 Fathom is on the prowl for intruders.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2025

Dozens of self-help books and therapy sessions later, I’m still on the prowl for something that makes sense of it all.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2025

They prowl the tall grasses and the witch-haired trees waiting waiting, to stop people like me.

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads

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