View synonyms for lurk

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

/ lɜːk /

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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Derived Forms

ˈlurker, noun

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Other Words From

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

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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

Tens of thousands of wildfire survivors, including Robinson, have returned to ash-cloaked neighborhoods, even as serious questions about what could be lurking in the debris remain unanswered.

From Los Angeles Times

The legislation has also faced opposition from peers such as West Ham United vice chair Baroness Brady, who told the Lords that there are "dangers lurking in this bill".

From BBC

Head over heels, my friends did everything they could to lurk in close proximity to her, and I tagged along.

From Los Angeles Times

He began trying to blunt the danger that he saw lurking in every volatile situation the militiamen put themselves in.

From Salon

These gloomy thoughts lurked in my subconscious as I gobbled up this entire book over Thanksgiving weekend.

From Salon

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