Prowl Meaning
/pɹaʊl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo rove over, through, or about in a stealthy manner; especially, to search in, as for prey or booty.
verbTo idle; to go about aimlessly.
Sentence Examples
Robbers prowl around at midnight.
Go, but a hungry wolf might prowl around there.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hungry lion began to ____ silently through the tall grass, waiting to attack its prey.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lion began to ____ the perimeter of the camp in the darkness, drawn by the smell of food.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English prollen, of unknown origin.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He prowls each place, still in new colours decked."
— a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC:
"While McCarthy prowled the touchline barking orders, his opposite number watched on motionless and expressionless and, with 25 minutes to go, decided to throw on Nicolas Anelka for Kalou."
— 2011 January 5, Mark Ashenden, “Wolverhampton 1 - 0 Chelsea”, in BBC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hungry lion began to ____ silently through the tall grass, waiting to attack its prey.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lion began to ____ the perimeter of the camp in the darkness, drawn by the smell of food.