What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
loitered
Example
The security guard asked the group of teenagers to leave because they were loitering outside the store. [loitered: past tense]
Example
He was caught loitering in the park after hours and was given a warning by the police. [loitering: gerund or present participle]
lurk
Example
The thief was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. [lurking: present participle]
Example
She felt uneasy when she noticed someone lurking in the bushes near her house. [lurk: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loitered is more commonly used than lurk in everyday language. Loitered is often used to describe people who are wasting time or hanging around aimlessly, while lurk is more specific and implies a hidden or potentially harmful motive.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between loitered and lurk?
Both loitered and lurk are informal words, but lurk has a more negative connotation and is less commonly used in formal contexts.
