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Definition of prowl verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

prowl

verb
 
/praʊl/
 
/praʊl/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they prowl
 
/praʊl/
 
/praʊl/
he / she / it prowls
 
/praʊlz/
 
/praʊlz/
past simple prowled
 
/praʊld/
 
/praʊld/
past participle prowled
 
/praʊld/
 
/praʊld/
-ing form prowling
 
/ˈpraʊlɪŋ/
 
/ˈpraʊlɪŋ/
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  1. [intransitive, transitive] (of an animal) to move quietly and carefully around an area, especially when hunting
    • (+ adv./prep.) The tiger prowled through the undergrowth.
    • Wolves were prowling around outside.
    • prowl something Beasts prowled the forests at night.
  2. [intransitive, transitive] to move quietly and carefully around an area, especially with the intention of committing a crime
    • (+ adv./prep.) A man was seen prowling around outside the factory just before the fire started.
    • prowl something He prowled the streets, looking for likely victims.
  3. [transitive, intransitive] prowl something | (+ adv./prep.) to walk around a room, an area, etc., especially because you are bored, anxious, etc. and cannot relax
    • He prowled the empty rooms of the house at night.
    Extra Examples
    • She was prowling restlessly around the room.
    • Seb prowled up and down the corridor.
  4. Word Originlate Middle English: of unknown origin.
See prowl in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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