Stalk
/stɔːk/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, "stalk" is the long, thin part of a plant that holds leaves or flowers. As a verb, "to stalk" means to move quietly and carefully behind a person or animal, often to watch or follow them without being seen. Sometimes, it can mean following someone in a way that makes them feel unsafe or scared.
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See It in Action
Noun: The main stem of a plant
- •The celery stalk was crunchy and fresh.
- •She cut the flower's stalk before putting it in the vase.
- •The tomato plant's stalk grew very tall this summer.
Verb: To follow someone or something quietly and carefully
- •The cat stalked the bird before it jumped.
- •He felt like someone was stalking him in the dark.
- •Hunters stalk deer by moving slowly and hiding.
Verb: To follow someone in a way that makes them feel scared or unsafe (illegal or bad behavior)
- •The police warned him not to stalk his ex-girlfriend.
- •She reported that a stranger was stalking her near her home.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "stalk" like "stem" (A1 word) when it is a noun, but "stalk" is usually the main long part that holds up the plant's parts.
- ✓When "stalk" is a verb, think of "follow" (A1 word), but more quietly and carefully, almost like a cat sneaking up on a mouse.
- ✓Picture a tall flower with a strong green stick holding it up—that stick is the stalk.
- ✓Imagine someone walking very slowly and quietly behind another person without them knowing—that is stalking.
- ✓Sounds like "stock" → imagine a stock (wood piece) standing straight like a plant stalk or someone standing still, watching quietly.
- ✓In stories, hunters stalk animals to catch them without being seen.
- ✓NOT like "walk" (which is normal moving), "stalk" as a verb means moving silently and carefully.
- ✓NOT like "run after" (fast chasing), stalking is slow and secret.
- ✓NOT like "branch" (a small part of a tree), "stalk" is usually the main long support of a plant.
Try Other Words
- •Follow: to go behind someone (Use when the action is normal and not secret or slow)
- •Sneak: to move quietly and secretly (Use when focusing on quiet movement without being seen)
- •Pursue: to chase or follow (Use when the following is active and often faster)
- •Stem: the main plant support (Use when talking about plants, especially smaller or simpler parts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) - simple root word "stalk"
- •Etymology: From Old English "stealc" meaning a stem or stalk of a plant, also related to the verb meaning to walk stealthily
- •Historical development: Used since early English times for plant stems; verb form developed for quiet, careful movement like hunting or following
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in gardening for plants; in everyday language for quiet following or illegal following behavior (stalking)
- •Interesting fact: The verb "stalk" can have both neutral meaning (like animals hunting) and negative meaning (illegal following people)
Reflect & Connect
•How does the meaning of "stalk" change when talking about plants versus people or animals?
•Can stalking ever be a good or harmless action, or is it always negative? Why?
Fill in the blanks
1.The cat stalked the mouse very ___ to catch it without making noise.
2.A celery ___ is crunchy and often used in salads.
3.When someone stalks another person, it can make them feel ___ and unsafe.
4.Hunters often stalk their prey by moving ___ and hiding behind trees.
5.The flower’s ___ was tall and strong enough to hold the heavy blossom.
6.Unlike normal following, stalking means moving slowly and ___ to avoid being seen.
7.If a person is ___ by someone, they might call the police for help.