prowl
pronunciation
How to pronounce prowl in British English:
UK [praʊl]
How to pronounce prowl in American English:
US [praʊl]
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- Noun:
- the act of prowling (walking about in a stealthy manner)
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- Verb:
- move about in or as if in a predatory manner
- loiter about, with no apparent aim
Word Origin
- prowl (v.)
- late 14c., prollen, "move about in search of something," of unknown origin, with no known cognates. Spelling with -w- is from 1500s (compare bowls), but pronounced "prôll" till late 18c. Meaning "go stealthily in search of prey" is first recorded 1580s. Related: Prowled; prowling. The noun, in on the prowl, is attested from 1803.
Example
- 1. They are constantly on the prowl for small opportunities .
- 2. Others are on the prowl .
- 3. They prowl arctic ice sheets and swim in frigid waters in search of seals and other prey .
- 4. After a prowl around the exhibition I went for a coffee .
- 5. Chinese carmakers have been on the prowl all year for distressed western car assets , but few deals have been concluded .