lurk

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /lɝk/ UK /lɜːk/ See IPA manual

verb

Meanings

1

verb
to wait in hiding, especially with sinister intent

A figure seemed to lurk in the shadows of the alley.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to wait in hiding,... skulk prowl sneak loiter hide creep slink

Word family

Derived forms lurkerlurking

Etymology

From Middle English lurken, lorken ('to lie hidden, lie in wait'), probably of Scandinavian origin (compare dialectal Norwegian lurka 'to sneak away') or a frequentative of lour ('to lurk, scowl').

lurken Middle English

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Topics

Actions & Processes

# lurk

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** lɝk
**IPA (UK):** lɜːk

## Meanings
1. to wait in hiding, especially with sinister intent

## Examples
- A figure seemed to lurk in the shadows of the alley.

## Synonyms
- skulk
- prowl
- sneak
- loiter
- hide
- creep
- slink

## Derived Forms
- lurker
- lurking

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: lurken

## Etymology
From Middle English lurken, lorken ('to lie hidden, lie in wait'), probably of Scandinavian origin (compare dialectal Norwegian lurka 'to sneak away') or a frequentative of lour ('to lurk, scowl').

## AI Etymology
Lurk comes from Middle English lurken, lorken ('to lie hidden, lie in wait'), probably of Scandinavian origin (compare dialectal Norwegian lurka 'to sneak away') or a frequentative of lour ('to lurk, scowl'). The etymological trail includes Middle English lurken. The same word family includes lurker, lurking. Its current verb use means "to wait in hiding, especially with sinister intent".

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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lurk

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