Lurker: meaning, definitions and examples

👀

Add to dictionary

lurker

[ ˈlɜːrkər ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

online community

A person who is a member of an online community but rarely participates in discussions or interactions.

Synonyms

observer, onlooker, spectator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lurker	Used to describe someone who secretly observes others' activities without participating. Often has a negative connotation and is commonly used in online communities. He is a lurker in the chatroom, never contributing but always watching. Lurkers often just read the posts without leaving any comments.
observer	Refers to someone who watches or studies something carefully. Can be used in various contexts, including scientific research, casual observation, or sporting events. An observer at the crime scene took detailed notes of everything happening. During the experiment, the observer noted every reaction carefully.
spectator	Used to refer to someone who watches an event, particularly sports, performances, or public gatherings. Neutral connotation and implies a more formal or organized setting. The spectators cheered loudly as the team scored a goal. Thousands of spectators attended the rock concert.
onlooker	Describes someone who watches an event or situation without being involved. Often used for people watching something happening in public, like an accident or a street performance. Curious onlookers gathered around the street performer. An onlooker witnessed the car accident and called the police.

Examples of usage

John is more of a lurker on the forum, he rarely comments on posts.
She's been a lurker in the chat room for months, but she finally decided to join the conversation.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

gaming

A player who stays hidden or remains unnoticed while playing a game, often to surprise or ambush other players.

Synonyms

ambusher, sniper, stalker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lurker	This term is often used in online communities to describe someone who reads discussions and follows the community without actively participating. In the forum, John is a lurker; he reads all the posts but never comments.
ambusher	This word is used primarily in the context of strategic attacks, where someone hides and waits to surprise their target. It has a somewhat negative connotation. The soldiers fell victim to an ambusher who attacked them from the bushes.
stalker	This word typically refers to someone who follows or harasses another person consistently, often evoking fear or anxiety. It has a very negative connotation. After realizing she had a stalker, Mary reported him to the authorities.
sniper	This term is used specifically to describe a person skilled in shooting at long ranges, often from a hidden position. It is commonly used in military or tactical scenarios. The sniper positioned themselves on the rooftop to get a clear view of the target.

Examples of usage

The lurker waited patiently in the shadows before striking.
The team's strategy involved using a lurker to flank the enemy.

Translations

Translations of the word "lurker" in other languages:

🇵🇹 observador silencioso

🇮🇳 चुपचाप देखने वाला (chupchaap dekhne wala)

🇩🇪 stiller Beobachter

🇮🇩 pengamat diam

🇺🇦 тихий спостерігач

🇵🇱 cichy obserwator

🇯🇵 静かな観察者 (shizukana kansatsu-sha)

🇫🇷 observateur silencieux

🇪🇸 observador silencioso

🇹🇷 sessiz gözlemci

🇰🇷 조용한 관찰자 (joyonghan gwanchalja)

🇸🇦 مراقب صامت (muraqib samit)

🇨🇿 tichý pozorovatel

🇸🇰 tichý pozorovateľ

🇨🇳 静默观察者 (jìngmò guānchá zhě)

🇸🇮 tihi opazovalec

🇮🇸 þögull áhorfandi

🇰🇿 үнсіз бақылаушы

🇬🇪 ჩუმი დამკვირვებელი (chumi damkvirvebeli)

🇦🇿 səssiz müşahidəçi

🇲🇽 observador silencioso

Etymology

The word 'lurker' originated in the early 20th century and was initially used to describe someone who lurks or skulks around, often with negative connotations. In the context of online communities, the term evolved to refer to individuals who observe but do not actively participate in discussions. In gaming, 'lurker' is commonly used to describe a player who adopts a stealthy approach to gain an advantage over opponents.