- present participle of stalk.
stalking
Americannoun
-
stalkings
plural
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of stalking
Explanation
Stalking is the act of following someone or something very closely and watching its every move. If you're a very famous movie star, it's quite likely that someone is stalking you even as you read this sentence! The verb to stalk means to pursue carefully, and often stealthily. It was originally used to describe hunters following their prey and waiting for the precise moment to attack. In its more recent, colloquial use, stalk and its gerund form stalking, refer to the act of pursuing a person, often because you have an unhealthy obsession with them. Stalking your ex-girlfriend to see if she’s dating someone may seem like a good idea, but it’s unwise and illegal!
Vocabulary lists containing stalking
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Victoria's state parliament commissioned Phillips to survey lawmakers on online abuse and stalking five years ago.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
It is now compulsory for secondary schools to include teaching about stalking, but the couple said they believed there should not be a distinction between stalking, and stalking involving fear of violence.
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
Disney will serve as a stalking horse bidder for a non-exclusive perpetual license of some of Character’s intellectual property, the company said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
Hate stalking the airline seat map for a better seat ahead of your flight like it’s a part-time job?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
“Boy, nobody’s stalking you. I’m here to see my aunt.”
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
“Gurgi is ready for new walkings and stalkings, oh, yes! And new seekings and peekings! Great lords have been kind to happy, jolly Gurgi!”
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
His play consisted chiefly of elaborate stalkings of easily captured animals.
From A Mountain Boyhood by Enos B. (Enos Benjamin) Comstock
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
