prowl

American  

[proul] / praʊl /

verb (used without object)

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

   Synonyms:

   roam

---

verb (used with object)

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

   The cat prowled the alleys in search of food.

noun

1. act of prowling.

idioms

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

   The cat is on the prowl for mice.

prowl British  

/ praʊl /

verb

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

---

noun

1. the act of prowling

2. 1. moving around stealthily

   2. zealously pursuing members of the opposite sex

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

Example Sentences

Anyone who ever lost a cat never understood the cat was probably still around, just prowling in another part of its territory.

From Literature

Wealth managers prowl dental conferences for prospective clients.

From The Wall Street Journal

“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

“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

I would picture him prowling among the chairlegs in the dining room, missing the shoulders he loved to walk on.

From Literature

Related Words

• lurk
• roam
• scavenge
• skulk
• slink
• stroll
• tramp