prowl
PROWL
/praʊl/
To move stealthily or restlessly, especially in search of prey, food, or an opportunity.
Prowl implies a slow, deliberate, and quiet movement with a specific, often predatory or mischievous intent. It can also describe a person wandering restlessly.
The story behind the word. Prowl emerged in Middle English as 'prollen', which meant to search or peer around inquisitively. Over the centuries, the spelling shifted, and the meaning narrowed from general searching to the stealthy, quiet movement of a predator looking for prey.
Word relationships
- stalk: Stalk implies actively pursuing a specific target, while prowl is more about wandering stealthily in search of a target.
- slink: Slink emphasizes moving quietly out of fear, shame, or a desire to avoid being seen, whereas prowl implies confidence and hunting.
- rush: Rush means to move quickly and loudly, with no attempt at stealth.
- stroll: Stroll means to walk in a relaxed, open, and casual manner with no predatory intent.
Commonly confused with
- prowess: Prowess means exceptional skill or bravery, while prowl is the act of moving stealthily.
Word family
- prowler (noun): A person or animal that moves stealthily, often with criminal or predatory intent.
- prowling (adjective): Moving stealthily or restlessly.
Collocations
- on the prowl
- prowl the streets
- prowl around
- stealthy prowl
Idioms & expressions
- on the prowl
Example sentences
- "The beasts of prey prowl about for food, utilizing the cover of darkness to surprise their targets." A scientific observation of predatory habits in the wild.
- "At midnight, the cat would prowl through the quiet corridors, investigating every shadow." Describing a domestic cat exploring the house at night.
Memory hook
Think of an 'owl' on the 'prowl' silently gliding through the night sky. Prowl = Stealthy search.
When not to use
Do not use prowl to describe open, loud, or fast running, or casual, aimless walking without any focus or stealth.
Fun facts
- When cats prowl, they place their hind paws almost exactly in the prints of their forepaws, minimizing noise and visible tracks.
- The phrase 'on the prowl' is commonly used to describe journalists searching for a story or shoppers looking for bargains.
Related words
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