lurk

[ lurk ]

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.

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

/ 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

noun

1. slang.
   a scheme or stratagem for success

Derived Forms

• ˈlurker, noun

Other Words From

• lurker noun
• lurking noun
• lurking·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lurk¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English lurken, frequentative of lower ²; compare Norwegian lurka “to sneak away”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lurk¹

C13: probably frequentative of lour ; compare Middle Dutch loeren to lie in wait

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

How many times have your stories kept me awake at night wondering, like a child in the dark, what monsters lurk nearby?

From The Daily Beast

Discounting the occasional outbreak among bushmeat hunters, Ebola seems content to lurk.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, and most importantly, F. Murray Abraham will continue to lurk in the shadows, looking mysterious and bald.

From The Daily Beast

Post-war Iraq is unfortunately a fitting example for the reality that might lurk behind one-state visions.

From The Daily Beast

Fascist snipers lurk in the hills, and merely sitting in a café could be fatal.

From The Daily Beast

We got off our horses and stooped over the man, forgetting for the moment that danger might lurk in the surrounding thicket.

From Project Gutenberg

Holding the violin aloft, he cried exultingly: Henceforth thou art mine, though death and oblivion lurk ever near thee!

From Project Gutenberg

Scouts bring in that a squad of the emir of Emessa's cavalry lurk around the port.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps he would even have to lurk in the woods, awaiting his opportunity to smuggle his liquor to the men.

From Project Gutenberg

In the caves would lurk such coolness as was going; but the lack of water must have been a sore trial in summer.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• creep
• crouch
• prowl
• skulk