lurk
Americanverb (used without object)
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to lie or wait in concealment, as a person in ambush; remain in or around a place secretly or furtively.
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to go furtively; slink; steal.
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to exist unperceived or unsuspected.
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Chiefly Computers. to read or observe an ongoing discussion without participating in it, as on a message board.
noun
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an underhand scheme; dodge.
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an easy, somewhat lazy or unethical way of earning a living, performing a task, etc.
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a hideout.
verb
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to move stealthily or be concealed, esp for evil purposes
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to be present in an unobtrusive way; go unnoticed
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to read messages posted on an electronic network without contributing messages oneself
noun
Related Words
Lurk, skulk, sneak, prowl suggest avoiding observation, often because of a sinister purpose. To lurk is to lie in wait for someone or to hide about a place, often without motion, for periods of time. Skulk suggests cowardliness and stealth of movement. Sneak emphasizes the attempt to avoid being seen. It has connotations of slinking and of an abject meanness of manner, whether there exists a sinister intent or the desire to avoid punishment for some misdeed. Prowl implies the definite purpose of seeking for prey; it suggests continuous action in roaming or wandering, slowly and quietly but watchfully, as a cat that is hunting mice.
Other Word Forms
- lurker noun
- lurking noun
- lurkingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of lurk
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English lurken, frequentative of lower 2; compare Norwegian lurka “to sneak away”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although they may not come to pass, there are plenty of potential black swan events that could be lurking in the back half of the 2020s.
From Barron's
And watch out for company boosters lurking in groups to counter complaints.
Markets were largely anticipating the decision, given how oral arguments in the case had played out, and it removed an ongoing overhang that had been lurking in the background.
From Barron's
Stocks may well take their cue from economic data this week but there’s a dangerous wildcard lurking–AI disruption fears.
From Barron's
Stocks may well take their cue from economic data this week but there’s a dangerous wildcard lurking–AI disruption fears.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
