# stalked

/ˈstɔkt/ (US) · /stˈɔːkt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stalked
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

followed someone secretly and quietly, often in a way that is scary or illegal. It can also mean walking in a stiff, angry way.

For teachers: pursued or approached a person or animal stealthily; alternatively, walked with measured, stiff, or haughty strides. Past tense of 'stalk'.

## Examples

- The cat stalked the bird through the tall grass.
- He felt increasingly unsafe after realizing he had been stalked by a stranger for several blocks.
- The predator stalked its prey with such calculated silence that the deer remained entirely unaware of the impending danger until the final moment.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive when referring to pursuing someone, but often intransitive when describing a manner of walking.

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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.