lurk

[ lurk ]

verb (used without object)

1. to lie or wait in concealment, as a person in ambush; remain in or around a place secretly or furtively.
2. to go furtively; slink; steal.
3. to exist unperceived or unsuspected.
4. Chiefly Computers. to read or observe an ongoing discussion without participating in it, as on a message board.

noun

, Australian Informal.

1. an underhand scheme; dodge.
2. an easy, somewhat lazy or unethical way of earning a living, performing a task, etc.
3. a hideout.

lurk

/ lɜːk /

verb

1. to move stealthily or be concealed, esp for evil purposes
2. to be present in an unobtrusive way; go unnoticed
3. to read messages posted on an electronic network without contributing messages oneself

noun

1. slang.
   a scheme or stratagem for success

Derived Forms

• ˈlurker, noun

Other Words From

• lurker noun
• lurking noun
• lurking·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lurk¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English lurken, frequentative of lower ²; compare Norwegian lurka “to sneak away”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lurk¹

C13: probably frequentative of lour ; compare Middle Dutch loeren to lie in wait

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Or, they could lurk around the backboard, as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman likes to say, in case his market develops differently than expected.

From Los Angeles Times

The thinking machine storyline lurks in the background of the episodes provided for review, which is forgivable considering everything and everyone else Schapker and her team must introduce.

From Salon

And all the time, the Six Nations, renewed rivalries with the northern hemisphere's best and fears England are just not as good as we thought, lurk like Etzebeth around a breakdown.

From BBC

Or, just maybe, it was all a mirage, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and one of its greatest players still lurking, waiting for the moment to strike.

From Los Angeles Times

Baroness Brady, who has held senior positions at clubs for 30 years, told peers there were "dangers lurking in this bill".

From BBC

Related Words

• creep
• crouch
• prowl
• skulk