lurk
[ lurk ]
/ lɜrk /
verb (used without object)
to lie or wait in concealment, as a person in ambush; remain in or around a place secretly or furtively.
to go furtively; slink; steal.
to exist unperceived or unsuspected.
Chiefly Computers. to read or observe an ongoing discussion without participating in it, as on a message board.
noun Australian Informal.
RELATED CONTENT
Made-up Words Said By The People In ChargeConsidering our PICs (people-in-charge) have a knack for creating their own vocabulary, especially when they are put on the spot, here's a list of the most creative "made-up words" said by leadership. Hey, we voted 'em in . . . now they can say what they want.
Origin of lurk
SYNONYMS FOR lurk
1 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.
Related formslurk·er, nounlurk·ing, nounlurk·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for lurks
British Dictionary definitions for lurks
lurk
/ (lɜːk) /
verb (intr)
to move stealthily or be concealed, esp for evil purposes
to be present in an unobtrusive way; go unnoticed
to read messages posted on an electronic network without contributing messages oneself
noun
Australian and NZ slang a scheme or stratagem for success
Derived Formslurker, noun
Word Origin for lurk
C13: probably frequentative of lour; compare Middle Dutch loeren to lie in wait
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for lurks
lurk
c.1300, lurken "to hide, lie hidden," probably from Scandinavian (cf. dialectal Norwegian lurka "to sneak away," dialectal Swedish lurka "to be slow in one's work"), perhaps ultimately related to Middle English luren "to frown, lurk" (see lower (v.2)). Related: Lurked; lurking.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper