stalk
10 synonyms and 0 antonyms 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.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use stalk
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.