What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
loiter
Example
The security guard asked the teenagers to stop loitering outside the store. [loitering: gerund or present participle]
Example
I don't like to loiter around when I have work to do. [loiter: verb]
lurk
Example
The thief was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. [lurking: gerund or present participle]
Example
I felt like someone was lurking behind me, so I turned around to check. [lurk: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loiter is more commonly used than lurk in everyday language. Loiter is often used to describe people who are hanging around without any apparent purpose, while lurk is more specific and implies a hidden or secretive purpose.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between loiter and lurk?
While loiter is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, lurk is more formal and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
