prowl

/praʊl/ (bre, ipa) · /praʊl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprau̇(-ə)l/ (ame, mw)

prowl — verb

  • prowlpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • prowlshe / she / it
  • prowledpast simple
  • prowling-ing form

1. To go slowly around an area in a careful, secret way, often while looking for a

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

To go slowly around an area in a careful, secret way, often while looking for a chance to hunt, steal, or catch something.

例句

A fox prowled along the fence behind Padma's chicken shed at dawn.

animal + prowl along [place] while hunting

In the blackout, two men prowled through the office for laptops.

prowl through + place while searching secretly

同義詞
  • stalk

    more strongly suggests quietly following a target, often before an attack

  • creep

    emphasizes slow, careful movement, but not always the searching idea

  • sneak

    focuses on avoiding notice, often to do something you should not do

反義詞
  • stroll

    suggests relaxed, open movement with no secrecy

  • march

    suggests direct, confident movement rather than quiet circling

文法句型

prowl around + place

prowl through + place

prowl along + edge or path

用法筆記

Often used when someone or an animal moves quietly while watching or searching. It usually sounds more threatening or suspicious than a neutral phrase like 'walk around'.

常見錯誤

❌We prowled to the station before class.
✅We walked to the station before class.
💡Prowl suggests secret or threatening movement, not an ordinary trip.

2. To keep walking from place to place because you feel worried, bored, or too rest

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

To keep walking from place to place because you feel worried, bored, or too restless to sit still.

例句

Eli prowled around the kitchen while the exam results loaded.

prowl around + room while waiting nervously

Unable to sleep, Sari prowled the flat and checked every window twice.

restless movement caused by anxiety

同義詞
  • pace

    more neutral and direct for walking back and forth because of worry

  • wander

    can suggest aimless movement, but is less tense than prowl in this sense

  • loiter

    suggests hanging around with no clear purpose, often in public places

反義詞
  • settle down

    to become calm and stop moving about

  • sit still

    to remain in one place without restless movement

文法句型

prowl around + room

prowl from room to room

prowl + place

用法筆記

This sense is about nervous or bored pacing, not secret hunting. It is often used when someone is waiting, worrying, or trying unsuccessfully to relax.

prowl — noun