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lurk

[lurk]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

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

noun

Australian Informal.

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

lurk

/ ��ɜː�� /

verb

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

noun

slang��a scheme or stratagem for success

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Other Word Forms

lurker noun
lurking noun
lurkingly adverb
ˈ��ܰ�� noun

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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”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lurk¹

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

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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.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

North Macedonia are the new leaders with eight points from four games, Wales are second with seven from four, while Belgium lurk menacingly with four points from two.

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Wiles lurks in the shadows, thriving in the gray mist of the White House.

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Along the coast, a different danger is lurking — a south swell bringing with it elevated surf up to 6 feet high and rip currents.

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With mighty Yankee Aaron Judge huffing and puffing at the plate, a lone insistent chant emerged from a Dodger fan lurking in the shadows.

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Geoguessers on social media have speculated that the street art may lurk in Marseille, in the south of France, while others debate how to interpret the work's meaning.

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Related Words

creep��
crouch��
prowl��
skulk��

Luristan lurking

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