Meaning
Prowl means to move around quietly and secretly, especially while searching for something or someone — often with the intention of hunting or stealing. It suggests slow, cautious, and stealthy movement, like that of a predator.
Grammar and Usage
-
Part of speech: Verb (intransitive or transitive)
-
Forms: prowl, prowls, prowled, prowling
-
Typical patterns:
- prowl around/in/through (somewhere) — move stealthily in an area
- prowl for (something) — search secretly for something
Examples of patterns:
- The cat prowled around the garden.
- He was prowling for new opportunities.
Common Phrases
-
on the prowl — looking for something or someone, often with excitement or desire e.g., “He’s on the prowl for a new car.”
-
prowl the streets — to wander secretly or aimlessly, often at night
Collocations
- animals: lions prowl, tigers prowl, cats prowl
- people: thieves prowl, police prowl
- places: prowl the streets / forest / neighborhood
Examples
- A tiger was prowling through the jungle in search of prey.
- The burglar prowled around the house before breaking in.
- She likes to prowl the aisles of the bookstore for hidden gems.
- The police car prowled the neighborhood late at night.
- Sharks prowl the ocean depths, waiting for unsuspecting fish.
- He went on the prowl for a new apartment.
- The cat prowled silently, ready to pounce on the mouse.
Synonyms or Related
- stalk
- roam
- sneak
- creep
- lurk
Antonym
- march
- stride
- parade
- reveal