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 in an Internet newsgroup.
noun Australian Informal.
5.
an underhand scheme; dodge.
6.
an easy, somewhat lazy or unethical way of earning a living, performing a task, etc.
7.
a hideout.
00:10
Lurk
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| chat, to converse |
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English lurken, frequentative of lower2; compare Norwegian lurka to sneak away
1250–1300; Middle English lurken, frequentative of lower2; compare Norwegian lurka to sneak away
Related forms
lurk·er, noun
lurk·ing·ly, adverb
un·lurk·ing, adjective
Synonyms
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.
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To lurk
Collins
World English Dictionary
lurk (lɜːk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 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 |
| —n | |
| 4. | slang (Austral), (NZ) a scheme or stratagem for success |
| [C13: probably frequentative of | |
| 'lurker | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
lurk
c.1300, lurken "to hide, lie hidden," probably from Scand. (cf. dial. Norw. lurka "to sneak away," dial. Swed. lurka "to be slow in one's work"), perhaps ult. related to M.E. luren "to frown, lurk" (see lower (v.2)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary
lurk definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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FOLDOC
Example sentences
They lurk around the ants' trails, pretending to be ants and grabbing a meal when the opportunity arises.
It suggests that naturally occurring digestive tract protozoa may be a place where dangerous bacteria can also lurk and develop.
They know their home turf, which trees are fruiting at what time of year, where the local predators tend to lurk.
So lurk a little and get a sense of what is considered proper.
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