prowl

1 of 2

verb

ˈprau̇(-ə)l 

prowled; prowling; prowls

intransitive verb

: to move about or wander stealthily in or as if in search of prey

transitive verb

: to roam over in a predatory manner

prowl

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of prowling

Phrases

on the prowl

: in the act of prowling

also : in search of something

his fourth wife had just left him, and he was on the prowl again

—Mary McCarthy

Examples of prowl in a Sentence

Verb

a tiger prowling in the jungle

He moved like a tiger prowling the jungle.

The police were prowling the streets in their patrol cars.

He liked to prowl the streets late at night.

I prowled the store looking for sales.

I prowled through the store looking for sales.

Noun

a prowl through the bookshop

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On a full moon night, desperation pushes them to steal from a plantation where a mysterious beast prowls among the banana trees. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2024

In Daniel Craig’s new movie, he’s seen prowling around exotic environs wearing a white suit, drinking too much, and generally doing his best to go to bed with the sexiest visitors around. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2024

Noun

Spooky season may be over, but black cats are still on the prowl at The Well Coffeehouse in Fishers. —Justin L. MacK, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024

For the past 20 years, the United States has been a unicorn-chasing society, always on the prowl for golden outliers. —Nathan Heller, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English prollen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1803, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing prowl

• on the prowl
• prowl car

Kids Definition

prowl

verb

ˈprau̇(ə)l

1

: to move about or wander in a secretive manner in or as if in search of prey

2

: to roam over like a wild beast

prowl the streets

prowl noun

prowler noun