stalk

²stalk

verb

Definition of STALK

intransitive verb

1

: to pursue quarry or prey stealthily

2

: to walk stiffly or haughtily

transitive verb

1

: to pursue by stalking

2

: to go through (an area) in search of prey or quarry <stalk the woods for deer>

3

: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment

— stalk·er noun

Examples of STALK

1. a movie about a detective being stalked by a killer
2. This is the time of year when hunters are stalking the woods for deer.
3. She called the police because her ex-boyfriend was stalking her.
4. She angrily stalked out of the room.

Origin of STALK

Middle English, from Old English bestealcian; akin to Old English stelan to steal — more at steal

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to STALK

Synonyms: chase, hunt

Related Words: capture, drag, net, snare, trap; dog, ferret, hawk, hound; course, pursue, run, run down, spoor, track, trail; gun (for), harpoon, kill, shoot; poach; cull

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide