Pronunciation: /ˈlɜrkɪŋ/

Definitions of lurking

verb To lie in wait or move stealthily; to be present but unnoticed

Example Sentences

A1 I saw a cat lurking in the bushes.

A2 The thief was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

B1 He felt a sense of unease as if someone was lurking behind him.

B2 The detective suspected that the criminal was lurking nearby, watching their every move.

C1 The hacker was lurking in the dark web, searching for vulnerable networks to exploit.

C2 The paparazzi were lurking outside the celebrity's house, hoping to catch a glimpse of them.

Examples of lurking in a Sentence

formal The security guard noticed someone lurking outside the building.

informal I always feel like someone is lurking around the corner.

slang I saw a creepy guy lurking in the shadows.

figurative Doubt was always lurking in the back of his mind.

Grammatical Forms of lurking

past tense

lurked

plural

lurkers

comparative

more lurking

superlative

most lurking

present tense

lurk

future tense

will lurk

perfect tense

have lurked

continuous tense

is lurking

singular

lurker

positive degree

lurk

infinitive

to lurk

gerund

lurking

participle

lurking

Origin and Evolution of lurking

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'lurking' originated from Middle English 'lurken', which is believed to have come from the Old English word 'lurian' meaning to lie hidden or to sneak around.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'lurking' has evolved to primarily refer to someone staying hidden or in the shadows with a sense of secrecy or surveillance, especially in online contexts like social media platforms.