noun

stalk

stawk

noun

The stem of a plant, or a similar stem-like part.

"She snapped the flower off at the stalk."

"The wheat stalks swayed in the wind."

verb

To approach quietly and slowly so as not to be noticed, especially when hunting.

"The tiger stalked its prey through the tall grass."

To follow or watch someone obsessively and repeatedly, often causing them fear or distress.

"He was arrested after he was found to be stalking his ex-girlfriend for months."

"She reported the account that kept stalking her on social media."

How to Use Stalk

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA plant's stem, or — as a verb — to sneak up on someone or something, or to obsessively follow a person.

When to use it

The "obsessively follow" sense is often used loosely and informally for checking someone's social media, but in law "stalking" describes a serious criminal offence.

Common pairings

a stalk of celery stalk prey stalk an ex

Word Forms

stalked past tense, stalked past tense, stalks plural, stalks plural, stalks plural, stalks singular, stalks singular

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She snapped the flower off at the _____.

Etymology

From Middle English stalke, likely from an Old English root related to a stem or support, going back to a Proto-Indo-European word for "post" or "stalk."

Rhymes for stalk

talk walk Falk chalk catwalk sidewalk cakewalk crosswalk sleepwalk boardwalk beanstalk

See all rhymes for stalk →