prowl

1 of 2

verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
And, like Burke, prosecutors plan to show evidence that Madigan was willing to use his political power to prowl for private legal business. Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024 The Elkhorn road is reportedly where a wolfman-like creature, the Beast of Bray Road, prowls. Rashad Alexander, Journal Sentinel, 30 Sep. 2024
Noun
The second tale features a pack of young women who go on the prowl (see where this is going?). EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024 This means scalpers and their bots will be on the prowl. Erik Kain, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prowl 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prowl was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near prowl

Cite this Entry

“Prowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prowl. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on prowl

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!