skulk

or sculk

[ skuhlk ]

/ skʌlk /

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See synonyms for: skulk / skulked / skulking / skulker on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to lie or keep in hiding, as for some evil reason: The thief skulked in the shadows.

to move in a stealthy manner; slink: The panther skulked through the bush.

British. to shirk duty; malinger.

noun

a person who skulks.

a pack or group of foxes.

Rare. an act or instance of skulking.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of skulk

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Scandinavian (not in Old Norse ); compare Danish, Norwegian skulke, Swedish skolka “to play hooky”

synonym study for skulk

1. See lurk.

OTHER WORDS FROM skulk

skulker, nounskulk·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use skulk in a sentence

The third skulker took advantage of the cessation of firing to tumble down from his perch and fly for his life.
Overland|John William De Forest
I fished it out and made ready, thinking, of course, that the skulker must certainly be one of Clanahan's gunmen.
The Wreckers|Francis Lynde
He loathed a skulker, and his face was known for any boy who would own to fatigue or confess himself beaten.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete|George Meredith
No need to call the roll, a skulker would have been detected and kicked into the ranks at the instant.
Warrior Gap|Charles King

He did not personally know that the summer-house was occupied, but he argued it from the movements of the other skulker.
The Code of the Mountains|Charles Neville Buck

British Dictionary definitions for skulk

skulk

/ (skʌlk) /

verb (intr)

to move stealthily so as to avoid notice

to lie in hiding; lurk

to shirk duty or evade responsibilities; malinger

noun

a person who skulks

obsolete a pack of foxes or other animals that creep about stealthily

Derived forms of skulk

skulker, 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

skulk

or sculk

Origin of skulk

synonym study for skulk

OTHER WORDS FROM skulk

Words related to skulk

How to use skulk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for skulk

Derived forms of skulk

Word Origin for skulk