stalk
1 of 3noun (1)
ˈstȯk 
1
: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting part
especially : peduncle
2
a
: the main stem of an herbaceous plant often with its dependent parts
b
: a part of a plant (such as a petiole or stipe) that supports another
stalked
ˈstȯkt
adjective stalkless
ˈstȯk-ləs
adjective stalky
ˈstȯ-kē
adjective stalk
2 of 3verb
stalked; stalking; stalks
intransitive verb
1
: to pursue quarry or prey stealthily
2
: to walk stiffly or haughtily
transitive verb
1
: to pursue by stalking
2
: to go through (an area) in search of prey or quarry
stalk the woods for deer
3
: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment
stalk
3 of 3noun (2)
1
: the act of stalking
2
: a stalking gait
Synonyms
Verb
- chase
- hunt
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb a movie about a detective being stalked by a killer This is the time of year when hunters are stalking the woods for deer. She called the police because her ex-boyfriend was stalking her. She angrily stalked out of the room.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English stalke; akin to Old English stela stalk, support
Verb
Middle English, from Old English bestealcian; akin to Old English stelan to steal — more at steal
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing stalk
Kids Definition
stalk 1 of 2
noun
ˈstȯk
1
: a plant stem especially when not woody
stalks of celery
2
: a slender supporting structure
the stalk of a goblet
stalk
2 of 2verb
stalked; stalking
1
: to walk in a stiff or proud manner
He stalked angrily out of the room.
2
: to hunt slowly and quietly
A cat stalked the bird.
Medical Definition
stalk
noun
ˈstȯk
: a slender supporting or connecting part : peduncle
the pituitary stalk
Legal Definition
stalk
transitive verb
ˈstȯk
: to subject to stalking
intransitive verb
: to engage in stalking
stalking 1 of 2
noun
as in hunting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hunting
- assault
- capture
- attack
- entrapment
- snare
- mousetrap
- sally
- ambush
- trap
- ambuscade
- charge
- surprise
- ambushment
- surprize
stalking
2 of 2verb
1
as in chasing
to seek out (game) for food or sport lions stalking gazelles on the plains Synonyms & Similar Words
- hunting
- chasing
- tracking
- trapping
- snaring
- killing
- pursuing
- capturing
- hounding
- dragging
- dogging
- hawking
- ferreting
- trailing
- shooting
- poaching
- netting
- harpooning
- coursing
- culling
- running
- running down
- spooring
- gunning (for)
2
as in strutting
to walk with exaggerated arm and leg movements the irate customer stalked off in a huff Synonyms & Similar Words
- strutting
- prancing
- striding
- tiptoeing
- sashaying
- swaggering
- stepping
- shuffling
- traipsing
- treading
- mincing
- sweeping
- parading
- flouncing
- lurching
- pacing
- padding
- promenading
- shambling
- staggering
- pussyfooting
- lumbering
- pounding