lurk

lurk

verb \ˈlərk\

Definition of LURK

intransitive verb

1

a : to lie in wait in a place of concealment especially for an evil purpose b : to move furtively or inconspicuously c : to persist in staying

2

a : to be concealed but capable of being discovered; specifically : to constitute a latent threat b : to lie hidden

3

: to read messages on an Internet discussion forum (as a newsgroup or chat room) without contributing

— lurk·er noun

Examples of LURK

1. She could tell there was someone out there lurking in the shadows.
2. <we caught a glimpse of someone lurking around the corner>

Origin of LURK

Middle English; akin to Middle High German lūren to lie in wait — more at lower

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to LURK

Synonyms: sneak, mooch, mouse, pussyfoot, shirk, skulk, slide, slink, slip, snake, steal

Antonyms: appear

Related Words: crawl, creep, edge, inch, worm; ghost, pad, tiptoe

Near Antonyms: come out, materialize, show up, turn up

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of LURK

lurk, skulk, slink, sneak mean to behave so as to escape attention. lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent <suspicious men lurking in alleyways>. skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent <something skulking in the shadows>. slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention <slunk around the corner>. sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods <sneaked out early>.

Rhymes with LURK

burke, Burke, chirk, cirque, clerk, dirk, irk, jerk, kirk, murk, perk, quirk, shirk, smirk, stirk, Turk, work, yerk, zerk