# lurk

/ˈɫɝk/ (US) · /lˈɜːk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lurk
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

to stay hidden while waiting for something, or to read a group chat without posting anything yourself. It often feels a bit sneaky or quiet.

For teachers: to remain in or around a place secretly, typically with a sinister motive; in digital contexts, to observe a community or conversation without participating.

## Examples

- I usually just lurk in the group chat instead of messaging.
- The cat likes to lurk behind the sofa, waiting for someone to walk past so it can pounce.
- While many users contribute daily to the forum, the vast majority prefer to lurk, consuming content and learning the community's norms without ever making a public post.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He was lurking the shadows" but "He was lurking in the shadows" — When used in a physical sense, the verb is intransitive and requires a preposition like 'in' or 'near' before the location.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive; in digital contexts, it often appears without a prepositional phrase.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.