LURK Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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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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Derived Forms

ˈ��ܰ��, noun

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��ܰ��İ� noun
��ܰ��i�Բ� noun
��ܰ��i�Բ�·ly adverb

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51�Թ� 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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51�Թ� 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.

“There might be danger lurking out there or repercussions.”

From

After lurking on the promenade, a hooded man stepped on to the sand, repeatedly stabbed them and fled into the darkness, leaving the women to bleed to death.

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"These groups are not lurking on the dark web, they exist in the same online world and platforms young people use on a daily basis," he added.

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As the virus made its way over the next few months, and the capital city - along with the rest of the country - remained under a strict shutdown, tragedy lurked at every corner.

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Many across Philippine society sounded the alarm about the criminality that often lurked within, despite the millions they brought in as revenue.

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