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definitions

skulk

or sculk

[skuhlk]
See more synonyms for skulk on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
  1. to lie or keep in hiding, as for some evil reason: The thief skulked in the shadows.
  2. to move in a stealthy manner; slink: The panther skulked through the bush.
  3. British. to shirk duty; malinger.
noun
  1. a person who skulks.
  2. a pack or group of foxes.
  3. Rare. an act or instance of skulking.

Origin of skulk

1175–1225; Middle English < Scandinavian (not in ON); compare Danish, Norwegian skulke, Swedish skolka play hooky
Related formsskulk·er, nounskulk·ing·ly, adverb

Synonyms for skulk

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1. See lurk.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for skulked

slink, crouch, prowl, snoop, dodge, pussyfoot, hide, slack, avoid, sidestep, sneak, evade, elude, snake, bypass, steal, creep

Examples from the Web for skulked

Contemporary Examples of skulked

Historical Examples of skulked

  • The Kaffir did not condescend to make answer, but skulked into the hut.

  • And so she got away, and skulked slowly up stairs to her own room.

    Orley Farm

    Anthony Trollope

  • It had long since skulked off, but no one thought of pursuit, as all were too anxious about Jan.

    The Bush Boys

    Captain Mayne Reid

  • They have skulked out, like traitors as they be, knowing our absence at the feast.

  • I skulked in the scrub as he came up—just behind a clump of wattle.

    Colonial Born

    G. Firth Scott

British Dictionary definitions for skulked

skulk

verb (intr)
  1. to move stealthily so as to avoid notice
  2. to lie in hiding; lurk
  3. to shirk duty or evade responsibilities; malinger
noun
  1. a person who skulks
  2. obsolete a pack of foxes or other animals that creep about stealthily
Derived Formsskulker, noun

Word Origin for skulk

C13: of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian skulka to lurk, Swedish skolka, Danish skulke to shirk
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 skulked

skulk

v.

c.1200, from a Scandinavian source, cf. Norwegian skulke "to shirk, malinger," Danish skulke "to spare oneself, shirk," Swedish skolka "to shirk, skulk, slink, play truant." Common in Middle English but lacking in 15c.-16c. records; possibly reborrowed 17c. Related: Skulked; skulking; skulker; skulkery.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper