What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prowler
Example
The police caught a prowler trying to break into the house. [prowler: noun]
Example
The cat was a skilled prowler, stalking its prey without making a sound. [prowler: noun]
Example
He spent the night prowling the streets, looking for something to do. [prowling: gerund or present participle]
trespasser
Example
The sign clearly stated 'No Trespassing,' but the hiker ignored it and became a trespasser. [trespasser: noun]
Example
He was charged with trespassing after he entered the construction site without permission. [trespassing: verb]
Example
She felt like a trespasser in her own home when her roommate went through her personal belongings. [trespasser: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trespasser is more commonly used than prowler in everyday language, especially in legal contexts. Prowler is a less common word that is often associated with crime or suspense genres.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prowler and trespasser?
Trespasser is a more formal term than prowler, which is more commonly used in informal or creative writing.
