n.
Pronunciation: ' l ə rk
Function: intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English; akin to Middle High German l ū ren to lie in wait ― more at LOWER
Date: 14th century
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
synonyms 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>.