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
stalky
adjective
as in lanky
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- lanky
- spindly
- stringy
- twiggy
- reedy
- rangy
- willowy
- wispy
- lank
- shoestring
- compressed
- condensed
- elongated
- constricted
- squeezed
- contracted
- tightened
- slender
- linear
- tight
- elongate
- skinny
- thin
- bottleneck
- close
- attenuated
- spare
- attenuate
- needlelike
- narrow
- slim
- ultrathin
- hairline
- paper-thin
- fine
- slim-jim
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- broad
- stocky
- wide
- fat
- stumpy
- thick
- chunky
- thickset
- squat
- bulky
- voluminous
- massive
- thickish
- widish