Word
prowling
Phoneticsprowl·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹaʊɫɪŋ/
UK/pɹˈaʊlɪŋ/
Definition
v. to move around quietly and slowly, usually because you are hunting or looking for something to catch.
v. to move stealthily through an area in search of prey or opportunity, often with quiet and watchful movement.
Examples
“The cat is prowling around the garden at night.”
“A fox is prowling near the farm, looking for a way into the chicken coop.”
“A leopard is prowling through the tall grass, silent and patient as it closes the distance to the herd.”
Examples
simple
“The cat is prowling around the garden at night.”
contextual
“A fox is prowling near the farm, looking for a way into the chicken coop.”
complex
“A leopard is prowling through the tall grass, silent and patient as it closes the distance to the herd.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “prowling” in context.
Verb
01. start prowling
“At dusk, the cats start prowling through the gardens.”
verb + gerund
02. stop prowling
“The guard told the teenagers to stop prowling around the shops.”
verb + gerund
03. thief prowling
“Police warned of a thief prowling in the neighbourhood.”
noun + verb
04. tiger prowling
“A tiger was prowling near the edge of the forest at dusk.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. restless prowling
“His restless prowling around the camp made everyone nervous.”
adj + noun
06. silent prowling
“We heard the silent prowling of a fox outside the tent.”
adj + noun
07. stealthy prowling
“The camera captured the stealthy prowling of a leopard.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. night of prowling
“After a night of prowling, the lion returned to its cubs.”
noun + prep + noun
09. sound of prowling
“She woke to the sound of prowling in the kitchen.”
noun + prep + noun
10. caught prowling around the house
“The burglar was caught prowling around the house.”
11. prowl around in the dark
“The children pretended to prowl around in the dark.”
12. prowl the streets at night
“Stray dogs prowl the streets at night looking for food.”
Usage
Often followed by 'around', 'about', or 'through'; takes a direct object when naming the area patrolled.
Real-World Examples
“A wild African black panther prowls for prey.” “On the touchline too the contrast was stark: Diego Simeone prowled, Carrick stood motionless in the corner of his technical area, chin in his hand.” “The show accentuates the play’s folkloric nature, with Matthew Heywood’s wolfish Varg prowling around a forest designed by Bretta Gerecke that is overseen by a wandering elder (Eve Polycarpou).” “He near fills up the entire frame as the prowling Lord of Darkness who kidnaps a princess and torments innocent forest child Tom Cruise in Ridley Scott’s visually sumptuous high fantasy.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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