lurk
[ lurk ]
/ lɜrk /
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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.
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Origin of lurk
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English lurken, frequentative of lower2; compare Norwegian lurka “to sneak away”
synonym study 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.
OTHER WORDS FROM lurk
lurker, nounlurking, nounlurk·ing·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use lurk in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for lurk
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 forms of lurk
lurker, nounWord Origin for lurk
C13: probably frequentative of lour; compare Middle Dutch loeren to lie in wait
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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