skulk
/skʌlk/ (bre, ipa) · /skʌlk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈskəlk/ (ame, mw)
skulk — verb
- skulkpresent simple I / you / we / they
- skulkshe / she / it
- skulkedpast simple
- skulking-ing form
1. to move about quietly and secretly, staying out of sight, especially because you
to move about quietly and secretly, staying out of sight, especially because you are doing something dishonest or wrong — for example, a thief skulking in a doorway or a journalist skulking behind a bush to get a secret photograph.
A tall stranger was skulking around the back entrance of the hospital after visiting hours.
skulk + around [location]
Theo skulked off to his bedroom when his mother asked about the broken vase.
skulk + off to [place]
Yuki spotted a stray cat skulking among the flower pots on the balcony.
Two figures were skulking in the alley behind the jewellery store late at night.
Rather than give a direct answer, the mayor skulked behind vague promises and empty phrases.
文法句型
skulk + around/behind/in/off + [location]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a location phrase introduced by around, behind, in, off to, or among. The subject is typically a person or animal acting with a guilty or sinister purpose. Distinguish from verb sense 1: lurk implies staying still in hiding, while skulk suggests moving secretly from place to place.
常見錯誤
skulk — noun
1. a person who behaves in a sneaky, secretive way, hiding from others because they
a person who behaves in a sneaky, secretive way, hiding from others because they are guilty, afraid, or up to no good.
The old caretaker called him a worthless skulk who only crept around after dark.
Ingrid felt like a skulk, tiptoeing through the empty school corridors hoping not to be seen.
- skulker
the more common modern form; means the same thing
用法筆記
This noun sense is very rare in modern English. It is almost always used in literary or contemptuous contexts. Most contemporary speakers use 'skulker' instead.
2. a word used for a group of foxes — one of the traditional collective nouns in En
a word used for a group of foxes — one of the traditional collective nouns in English, like 'a pride of lions' or 'a murder of crows'.
A skulk of foxes was spotted near the chicken coop just before sunrise.
collective noun: a skulk of foxes
The farmer counted seven foxes in the skulk that crossed his field last night.
用法筆記
Traditional hunting term. Mainly encountered in nature writing, quiz books about collective nouns, or historical texts. Not used in everyday conversation.