stalk
/stɔːk/ (bre, ipa) · /stɔːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstȯk/ (ame, mw) · /stɑːk/ (ame, ipa)
stalk — noun
- stalksingular
- stalksplural
1. the vertical stem of a growing plant, or the slim connector that holds one leaf,
the vertical stem of a growing plant, or the slim connector that holds one leaf, blossom, or piece of fruit.
Water drops ran down the rose stalk after the evening rain.
rose stalk as plant support
Linh cut the broccoli stalk into thin pieces for the soup.
broccoli stalk as edible part
A heavy apple bent the stalk until it nearly broke.
The farmer pulled the dry bean stalks from the field by hand.
文法句型
flower/fruit stalk
用法筆記
This sense covers both the main upright stem and the slimmer piece that holds one leaf, flower, or fruit. Context usually makes it clear which one is meant.
2. the act of moving after a person or animal quietly so you can catch, shoot, or a
the act of moving after a person or animal quietly so you can catch, shoot, or attack it.
At dawn, the hunters began the stalk across wet grass.
begin the stalk
The cat paused, then continued the stalk behind the garden wall.
One wrong step ruined Karim's careful stalk of the deer.
The guide taught the children how patience matters during a stalk.
- retreat
moving away instead of closing in on the target
文法句型
begin a stalk
ruin a stalk
during a stalk
用法筆記
Most often used in hunting or animal-writing contexts. Different from noun sense 4, which is about a person's style of walking rather than quiet pursuit.
3. a slim part in some animals that holds an organ and links it to the body.
a slim part in some animals that holds an organ and links it to the body.
The snail pulled its eyes back into the soft stalks above its mouth.
eye stalks in animals
The small crab had bright eyes on short stalks above its shell.
In the picture, each eye sat on a long stalk above the crab's face.
The science book showed a shrimp cleaning mud from one eye stalk.
文法句型
eye stalk
用法筆記
Usually appears in biology or nature descriptions, especially with eyes in creatures such as snails and crabs. It does not refer to a plant part in this sense.
4. a way of walking with long, stiff steps that seem proud, cold, or threatening.
a way of walking with long, stiff steps that seem proud, cold, or threatening.
The actor's slow stalk across the stage made the crowd fall silent.
stalk across + place
Reuben's cold stalk down the hall made the interns stop talking.
The guard's heavy stalk toward the gate sent the boys backward.
Even in rehearsal, Antonia's stalk looked proud and slightly threatening.
- shuffle
suggests small weak steps, the opposite of a forceful stalk
文法句型
a stalk across + place
a stalk toward + place
用法筆記
This literary noun describes the manner of walking itself. Compare with verb sense 3, where someone actively stalks out, across, or back somewhere.
stalk — verb
- stalkpresent simple I / you / we / they
- stalks3rd person singular
- stalking-ing form
- stalkedpast simple
1. to keep secretly watching, following, or contacting someone over time in a way t
to keep secretly watching, following, or contacting someone over time in a way that frightens or troubles them.
Someone had stalked Inês for weeks and kept waiting outside her office.
stalk + person over time
Police arrested a fan who stalked Christopher from the airport to his hotel.
stalk + person through repeated following
After the breakup, Antonia blocked a man who kept stalking her online.
Security cameras showed a stranger stalking Devika through three subway stations.
- leave alone
stop contacting or following the person
文法句型
stalk + person
stalk + person online
keep stalking + person
用法筆記
This sense usually implies repeated unwanted behaviour, not one ordinary act of following. It often appears in police, court, or safety contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to move toward a person or animal slowly and quietly so you can get close withou
to move toward a person or animal slowly and quietly so you can get close without being noticed.
At sunrise, Kofi stalked the deer through the long grass.
stalk + prey through + area
The tiger stalked a wild pig before jumping from the rocks.
Hunters sometimes stalk quietly for hours before taking a shot.
With the wind behind them, the wolves stalked the sheep unseen.
The fox stalked along the riverbank, watching ducks near the reeds.
- flee
move away instead of coming closer
文法句型
stalk + prey
stalk through + area
stalk quietly for + time
用法筆記
Often used for hunters and wild animals. Different from verb sense 1, which is about frightening and unwanted attention to a person rather than quiet pursuit of prey.
常見錯誤
3. to move with big, stiff steps because you feel angry, proud, or in control.
to move with big, stiff steps because you feel angry, proud, or in control.
Arjun stalked out of the meeting after the manager laughed.
stalk out of + place
Without a word, Élise stalked across the room and shut the window.
stalk across + place
The cat stalked past the smaller dog as if it owned the yard.
After winning the point, the boxer stalked back to his corner.
- shuffle
suggests small weak steps instead of forceful ones
文法句型
stalk out of + place
stalk across + place
stalk back to + place
用法筆記
This sense focuses on attitude shown in the walk itself. It often appears with path phrases such as 'out of the room' or 'back to the bench'.
常見錯誤
4. if fear, hunger, disease, or a similar bad thing stalks a place, it seems to mov
if fear, hunger, disease, or a similar bad thing stalks a place, it seems to move through it and keep everyone under threat.
Fear stalked the village after the bridge collapsed in the storm.
abstract danger + stalk + place
Hunger stalked the camp all winter when supply trucks stopped coming.
Silence stalked the hospital corridor before the test results arrived.
Disease stalked the town each summer after the river flooded.
- lift
the fear or danger goes away
文法句型
fear/disease/hunger + stalk + place
用法筆記
The subject is usually an unwanted condition such as fear, hunger, or disease, not a person. The tone is literary or news-like rather than casual.