Lurking
/ˈlɜrkɪŋ/
verbadjectiveB2present participle
Definition
Lurking is the action of staying hidden or waiting quietly, usually so others do not notice you. It often has a feeling of being secretive or sometimes suspicious, like waiting for the right moment to act or watch without being seen.
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See It in Action
To stay hidden and wait quietly, often to watch or surprise someone
- •The cat was lurking behind the door, ready to pounce.
- •He was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment.
- •Online, some users lurk in forums, reading but not posting.
Used as an adjective to describe something secret or hidden nearby
- •There was a lurking danger in the abandoned house.
- •A lurking feeling of fear stayed with her all night.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'lurking' like 'hiding,' but with more waiting and watching, not just staying out of sight
- ✓Picture a cat quietly sitting behind a curtain, watching a bird without moving or making noise
- ✓It’s the feeling when you know someone is nearby but you can’t see them clearly—they are quietly waiting
- ✓Sounds like 'LURK-ing' → imagine someone lurking in the dark, like a shadow waiting to move
- ✓In stories or movies, villains often lurk in corners waiting for the hero
- ✓NOT like 'running' (active and visible), lurking is quiet and still, waiting without being noticed
- ✓NOT like 'hiding' (just out of sight), lurking involves watching or waiting quietly for something to happen
- ✓NOT like 'stalking' (following closely to harm), lurking is more about quiet presence without immediate action
Try Other Words
- •Hide: to be out of sight (Use when only the idea of not being seen is important, without waiting or watching)
- •Wait: to stay in one place until something happens (Use when the focus is on waiting, not necessarily being secret)
- •Sneak: to move quietly and secretly (Use when moving quietly, not just staying still)
- •Stalk: to follow or watch someone closely, often with bad intention (Use only when the watching is active and possibly harmful)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'lurk' (root verb meaning to stay hidden) + '-ing' (suffix showing ongoing action)
- •Etymology: From Old Norse 'lurka,' meaning to lie in wait secretly
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe secret waiting or hiding, often with a negative or suspicious feeling
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for people or animals quietly waiting or watching, also used online for people who read without participating
Reflect & Connect
•Can lurking ever be a positive or harmless action? When might it be useful?
•How does the feeling of something lurking nearby affect your emotions or decisions?
Fill in the blanks
1.The fox was lurking ___ the bushes, waiting quietly for its prey to come close.
2.When someone is lurking online, they usually ___ without joining the conversation.
3.Unlike hiding, lurking often includes ___ or waiting for a special moment.
4.A lurking danger means there is a threat ___ but not yet visible or active.
5.People sometimes lurk ___ social media before deciding to post anything.
6.The feeling of someone lurking nearby can make you feel ___ or nervous.
7.Lurking is different from stalking because lurking is more about ___ quietly than following closely.