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

Scarlet shouted, prowling the stage in a shimmering red outfit and gigantic wig. —Joe Lynch, Billboard, 28 June 2025

Virtually overnight, the great white shark—and by extension all sharks—were perceived as ruthless killers prowling the coasts. —Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 25 June 2025

Noun

This is long before the pickpockets are out on the prowl. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025

Unchallenged and on the prowl, the Shenandoah captured two more ships in the days that followed, and an additional six on June 26 alone. —Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 June 2025

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

Rhymes for prowl

• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• scowl
• afoul
• wildfowl
• waterfowl

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