lurk

American  

[lurk] / lɜrk /

verb (used without object)

1. to lie or wait in concealment, as a person in ambush; remain in or around a place secretly or furtively.

2. to go furtively; slink; steal.

3. to exist unperceived or unsuspected.

4. Chiefly Computers. to read or observe an ongoing discussion without participating in it, as on a message board.

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noun

Australian Informal.

1. an underhand scheme; dodge.

2. an easy, somewhat lazy or unethical way of earning a living, performing a task, etc.

3. a hideout.

lurk British  

/ lɜːk /

verb

1. to move stealthily or be concealed, esp for evil purposes

2. to be present in an unobtrusive way; go unnoticed

3. to read messages posted on an electronic network without contributing messages oneself

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noun

1. slang a scheme or stratagem for success

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

Both suffered outages on Thursday afternoon as Tropical Cyclone Narelle lurked off the coast of Western Australia.

From Barron's

Dahl made his fortune by tapping into the delight children take in being frightened, conjuring worlds where evil lurks, often in human form.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since the 2008-09 financial crisis, private credit has been taking market share from the big banks, and Dimon has been among those warning about potential dangers lurking in the unregulated industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s no reaching past something sticky or spoiled, no quiet dread lurking in the crisper drawer.

From Salon

"I was adamant that there was a red scrum out lurking in the background that was going to bring me down," said Chessum.

From BBC

Related Words

• creep
• crouch
• prowl
• skulk