stalk

10 synonyms for stalk, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

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

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

stem

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

straw stalking haunt

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

husk chaff shuck stubble still hunt angry walk

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

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

“She snapped the flower off at the stalk.”

stem straw stalking haunt husk chaff shuck stubble still hunt angry walk

2. verb

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

“The tiger stalked its prey through the tall grass.”

haunt

How to use stalk

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a stalk of celery stalk prey stalk an ex

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.

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."

Full origin of stalk →

Frequently asked questions

What does “stalk” mean?

The word “stalk” means the stem of a plant, or a similar stem-like part. In plain terms, a plant's stem, or — as a verb — to sneak up on someone or something, or to obsessively follow a person.

How do you pronounce “stalk”?

“Stalk” is pronounced stawk (/stɔk/ in IPA).

How do you use “stalk” in a sentence?

Here is “stalk” used in a sentence: “She snapped the flower off at the stalk.”

What part of speech is “stalk”?

Depending on how it is used, “stalk” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “stalk” come from?

The word “stalk” comes from Old English. 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.".

Is “stalk” a common word?

“Stalk” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “stalk” have?

“Stalk” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the stem of a plant, or a similar stem-like part.

People also searched

stem straw stalking haunt husk chaff shuck stubble

Nearby words

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