prowl

[ proul ]

/ praʊl /

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See synonyms for: prowl / prowling / prowls on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

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

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR prowl

1 roam.

See synonyms for prowl on Thesaurus.com

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Idioms about prowl

on the prowl, in the act of prowling; searching stealthily: The cat is on the prowl for mice.

Origin of prowl

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English prollen; origin uncertain

synonym study for prowl

1. See lurk.

OTHER WORDS FROM prowl

prowl·ing·ly, adverbun·prowl·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prowl in a sentence

So, in my mind, she remains on the prowl, but it’s you whom she’s prowling for.
Future Mom-in-Law, the Porn Star|Eugene Robinson|November 22, 2020|Ozy
Many boats ran into trouble with the Thai pirates who prowled the South China Sea at that time.
Remembering the Fall of Saigon and Vietnam’s Mass ‘Boat People’ Exodus|Katie Baker|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Exhibit A: Cookie Monster prowled The White House Wednesday, scaring the living sh** out of us.
Cookie Monster, Joe Biden and More of the White House’s Strangest Vine Posts|Kelsey Meany|June 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Dubbed the "Baseline Killer," he prowled the city from the summer of 2005 to the summer of 2006.
Arizona’s Serial-Killer Saga|Terry Greene Sterling|October 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST

A few dogs prowled round the deserted wigwams, but not an Indian was to be seen.
A short history of Rhode Island|George Washington Greene
With a pleasant restlessness, he prowled around the cosy living-room, and finally selected a library book on the table.
Mountain|Clement Wood
Mike prowled around the Power Section that afternoon with a worry nagging at the back of his mind.
Unwise Child|Gordon Randall Garrett
A vivid story of prehistoric times, when the wife-hunter prowled around the cave of the savage woman he intended to appropriate.
The Devourers|Annie Vivanti Chartres
Tolly Tip prowled around, and some of the boys wondered what he could be doing until he came back presently with great news.
The Banner Boy Scouts Snowbound|George A. Warren

British Dictionary definitions for prowl

prowl

/ (praʊl) /

verb

(when intr, often foll by around or about) to move stealthily around (a place) as if in search of prey or plunder

noun

the act of prowling

on the prowl

moving around stealthily
zealously pursuing members of the opposite sex

Derived forms of prowl

prowler, noun

Word Origin for prowl

C14 prollen, of unknown origin

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

prowl

OTHER WORDS FOR prowl

Idioms about prowl

Origin of prowl

synonym study for prowl

OTHER WORDS FROM prowl

Words related to prowl

How to use prowl in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prowl

Derived forms of prowl

Word Origin for prowl